Body pain not letting you enjoy life to the fullest?
Try Iodex Ultragel with a diclofenac formula that reduces internal swelling, treats pain from within, and delivers effective relief. Not only does it work well in all kinds of body and joint pains (back, knee, shoulder, and neck), it is also effective in muscular pains.
Read on to understand how pain is a global problem and how topical pain relief creams like GSK’s Iodex Ultragel (IUG) are used for relieving musculoskeletal pains.
Pain is a Global Health Phenomenon
Pain affects the entire world population irrespective of age, gender, and social or economic status. Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading cause of disability worldwide, with lower back pain being the most common condition.
As per a report published by the WHO (World Health Organization) in 2019, globally, musculoskeletal conditions affect 1 in 3 and injuries affect 1 in 5 people (including children). Other reports indicate that the global prevalence of chronic pain ranges between 10.1 to 55.2%.
Any form of pain which interferes with your routine activity has a direct negative impact on your mental and emotional health.
Incidence of Chronic Pain in India
Studies have shown that the prevalence of chronic pain in India is around 19%, with a higher occurrence in females.
Chronic pain is most commonly encountered in the geriatric population (>65 years of age), especially in those residing in metros and larger towns.
It is seen that back pain is the leading cause of absenteeism from work in India and 90% of the population prefers to treat it with OTC (over-the-counter) medications.
Understanding Different Kinds of Pain
Pain is an unpleasant feeling, sensation, or experience in your body that can range from mild to moderate to severe. It is accompanied by a pricking, throbbing, burning, or tingling sensation and is linked to tissue, bone, and joint damage.
Musculoskeletal pain refers to pain in the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Musculoskeletal conditions can limit your range of motion and functional ability.
The most common types of musculoskeletal pain are back, neck, and shoulder pain; muscle pain such as sarcopenia (muscle loss that occurs with ageing and/or immobility); and bone and joint pain like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
When the above pains are consistent/persistent and last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, such pains are called chronic pains (CP). Lower back pain, headaches (especially migraines), and facial pain are the most common types of CP.
CP usually increases with age but is widely seen in the working population today, owing to lifestyle habits.
While most pains go away with rest and medications, treating it at its onset is the only way to stop it from growing. Here is when topical analgesics find their application in treating pains and body aches in daily life.
Popularity of OTC Drugs in India
OTC drugs or medications are those drugs that are legally allowed to be sold ‘Over The Counter’, i.e., without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner.
In India, all the drugs that are not included in the list of ‘prescription-only drugs’ are considered non-prescription drugs (or OTC drugs). Among OTC drugs, topical or pain-relieving analgesics are the most popular kind.
Topical analgesics are nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), available in the form of gels, ointments, creams, foams, or lotions used for managing musculoskeletal and chronic pain conditions.
Topical analgesics are widely used daily and the active ingredient present in the analgesic should be FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved.
Iodex Ultragel is a Body Pain Expert
A heritage brand since 1919, Iodex is one of the most trusted brands in India in the topical pain relief segment. With the launch of IUG, Iodex further strengthened its position in the topical pain relief category.
Why Should You Choose IUG?
Iodex Ultragel is a pain reliever that does not need a doctor’s prescription. It is useful to relieve backache, neck pain, shoulder pain, sprains, joint pain, and muscle pain. It is also used to reduce internal inflammation, and provide relief from sprains and strains.
Further, it is used as a first-line topical NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) for soft-tissue injuries.
Apart from being 3 times more effective in relieving musculoskeletal pain and inflammation, IUG also:
Contains diclofenac, a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient: Diclofenac works by blocking the enzyme which is responsible for the production of compounds that trigger an inflammatory response. The decrease in the chemicals that make the compound, reduce inflammation and pain. The gel, when applied, targets the site of inflammation to fight pain at its source.
Relieves pain as well as inflammation: In most cases, inflammation forms the root cause of pain and swelling. Hence, this pain reliever not only improves post-injury recovery by subsiding the inflammation but also improves your overall quality of life by managing the symptoms.
Has an Emulgel formulation that favours 7x deeper penetration in the skin: Iodex contains 1.16% diclofenac diethylamine, which comes in an Emulgel formula that provides the benefits of both gels as well as emulsions. Due to the Emulgel formulation, it permeates the skin 7 times deeper, thus, treating pain at its root and providing targeted relief.
Exerts a cooling effect minus strong odour: If you are someone who cannot tolerate the strong smell of pain relievers or are worried about the burning sensation caused due to topical pain relievers, Iodex Ultragel is your saviour. It not only exerts a cooling effect when applied at the site of the inflammation and pain but also does not produce any strong odour like that of the commonly available pain relievers.
Today’s changing lifestyle has resulted in an increase in pain occurrence of all sorts. Topical pain relief gels or creams are the fastest way to deal with the sudden onset of pain or treat chronic pain, in some cases.
Check for the presence of FDA-approved active ingredients whenever you buy an OTC topical analgesic. Consult your physician to know more about topical analgesics.
In case of a burning sensation, pain, redness, or any other side effects, speak with your doctor immediately.
For more information on how IUG is a body pain expert, click here.
References:
1. Who.int. 2021. Musculoskeletal conditions. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions>
2. El-Metwally, A., Shaikh, Q., Aldiab, A., Al-Zahrani, J., Al-Ghamdi, S., Alrasheed, A., Househ, M., Da’ar, O., Nooruddin, S., Razzak, H. and Aldossari, K., 2019. The prevalence of chronic pain and its associated factors among Saudi Al-Kharj population; a cross sectional study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 20(1)
3. Gaikwad, N., Pujari, A., Mane, I., Vambhurkar, G. and Honmane, P., 2021. Formulation and Evaluation of Hair gel containing Unani Medicine
4. Nicholas Hall’s Global OTC Database, DBS 2018
5. Voltaren Global CSS, Pg. 27
6. Evidence comes from a double-blind, randomised trial in patients (n=72) with acute neck pain treated with either diclofenac diethylamine 1.16% gel (2 g, four times a day for 5 days) or placebo gel. (Predel HG, et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Discord 2013; 14:250)
7. Gan TJ. Curr Med Res Opin 2010;26:1715–31
8. Rao P, Knaus EE. J Pharm Sci 2008;11:81s–110s
9. (Brune, 2007) A study in patients receiving endoprosthetic knee joint replacement (n=23) showed that after application of Voltaren Emulgel (80 mg) on the knee receiving surgery the concentrations in the skin (p<0.01), subcutis (p<0.05) and muscle (p<0.01) were significantly higher than after application on the knee not receiving surgery
10. Voltaren Global CSS, Pg. 27
11. Voltaren Global CSS Topical Gels p. 67
12. Voltaren Global CSS, Pg 20
13. Iodex Emulgel 1.16% in acute neck pain vs placebo
Disclaimer: This article is written by Practo and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited, as part of a collaboration activity. Information appearing in this material is for general awareness only. Nothing contained in this material constitutes medical advice. Please consult your physician for medical queries, if any, or any question or concern you may have regarding your condition. Practo and GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page. Issued in the public interest by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited. Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India. <PM-IN-IDX-21-00037>