Characteristics of Best-Selling Topical Pain Relief Medications at Major Online Retailer

Abstract

Introduction Treatment of acute and chronic pain is multimodal. Topical analgesics are a common formulation for targeting joint and muscle pain. There are a variety of cutaneous conditions that have neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess characteristics of the best-selling topical pain relief medications at a major online retailer.

Methods A cross-sectional study was performed. Amazon.com was queried under the “Pain Relief Medications and Treatments” category on October 15^th, 2023. The results were sorted by “Best Seller.” No other restrictions on search were selected. Data for the 50 best-selling products was collected.

Results The median price for a medication was $16.86 ($5.99-$39.99). The median price per ounce was $4.24 ($1.49-$20.00). The average consumer rating was 4.4/5, with an average of 7,564 consumer reviews. The ‘Joint and Muscle’ category contained 78% of the products, the next highest being ‘Arthritis’ (12%). Cream was the predominant vehicle type (76%), followed by gel (6%). The most abundant active ingredient was menthol (38%), then arnica (28%), 4% lidocaine (18%), and camphor (10%). Lidocaine 5% was present in one product. Regarding class of medication, 66% were natural, 16% were lidocaine, and 10% contained non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Overall, only 26% contained an FDA-approved ingredient. Top marketing claims included non-greasy (52%), maximum strength/powerful (42%), and natural/plant-derived (32%).

Conclusion There are a variety of affordable topical pain medications with high consumer ratings. Consumers value creams most as formulations. Products contain a diversity of active ingredients, though most are not FDA-approved.