What is Nurofen Joint and Back Gel?

Nurofen Joint & Back Pain Relief Gel is a painkiller gel that helps to relieve aches and pains in your back and joints and can be used to treat symptoms caused by backache, sprains, strains and sports injuries. It contains ibuprofen which is an anti-inflammatory drug, commonly used as an everyday painkiller to provide short-term relief from aches and pains.

What causes joint and back pain?

Experiencing pain in the back and joints is a very common problem with a variety of causes, but they tend to be caused by injury or conditions such as arthritis. There are many different types of joint and back pain but these are the most common examples.

Joint Pain

Pain in just 1 joint:

• Knee pain – Most vulnerable joint as it takes the full weight of our bodies, prone to damage, aches and pains
• Inflammation of joint lining – If you have recently injured a joint and it becomes painful suddenly again, the thin layer of tissue lining the joints and tendons may be inflamed
• Gout or Pseudogout – If the skin over the joint is hot and red and the pain comes in repeated attacks, it could be gout or pseudogout, which are types of arthritis
• Damage to the cartilage at the back of the kneecap – Knee pain that tends to feel worse when you go up and down the stairs could be a sign of a damaged knee cap

Pain in many joints:

• Rheumatoid arthritis – a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in the joints, usually the hands, feet and wrists
• Psoriatic arthritis – affects up to 1-5 people with psoriasis and is unpredictable
• A viral infection that causes arthritis – illnesses such as viral hepatitis and rubella can cause joint pain
• A disease of the connective tissue – illnesses such as lupus or scleroderma can cause joint pain

Back pain

Identifying the cause of back pain is not always straightforward, but is rarely anything serious. Most back pain is known as non-specific (no obvious cause) or mechanical (pain originates from the joints, bones or soft tissues in and around the spine).

Features of this type of back pain

• Tends to get better or worse depending on your position
• Often feels worse when moving
• Pain can appear gradually or suddenly
• Can be a result of poor posture or lifting something awkwardly, but often happens for no apparent reason
• May be caused by a minor injury such as a sprain (pulled ligament) or strain (pulled muscle)
• Can be associated with stress or feeling run down
• Will usually start to get better within a few weeks

Some conditions can frequently cause back pain.

•  A slipped disk – A disc of cartilage in the spine pressing on a nerve
• Sciatica – Irritation of the nerve that runs from the lower back to the feet
• Ankylosing spondylitis – Swelling of the joints in the spine
• Spondylolisthesis – A bone in the spine slipping out of position

How can Nurofen Gel relieve joint and back pain?

This product contains Ibuprofen which belongs to a group of medicines known as Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. This medication provides relief by changing the body’s response to pain by reducing the hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body. This gel can be used to treat several painful conditions that affect the joints and muscles such as back pain, rheumatic and muscular pain, sprains, strains and sports injuries.

How to use this product

Nurofen 10% Gel is designed for topical (on the skin) application only. Do NOT take this product orally (by mouth).

Check the seal is intact before first use (invert cap to break the seal). If the seal is not intact, do not use the gel.

Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years:  Squeeze 2-5 cm of gel (which is equivalent to 50-125mg of ibuprofen) from the tube on the affected area. Massage until absorbed. Do NOT use more frequently than every four hours and no more than 4 times in any 24 hour period.

This product should only be used on healthy, unbroken skin. Do NOT apply this product on or near cuts or grazes or under dressings such as plasters. Do NOT let any gel come in contact with your eyes. If contact occurs, rinse your eyes with cold water and consult your doctor. If the gel is ingested, rinse your mouth thoroughly and speak to your GP if a stomach upset occurs. Hands should be washed after applying this gel unless the gel is being used to relieve pain on the hands. Do NOT use this product on the genital area. If the condition does not improve after two weeks of use or becomes worse at any time, speak to your GP.

Warnings

• When applying the gel to the skin, be careful to avoid the eyes, lips and mouth and any damaged skin
• Protect treated areas from direct sunlight to avoid any sensitivity reaction e.g. a rash
• Do NOT use on the genital area
• Do NOT apply a dressing to the same area after using the gel
• If you develop a rash after using the gel stop using it any further

Can you use Nurofen Gel with other medications?

Speak to your GP or a pharmacist before using Nurofen Gel if you are using or have recently taken or might use any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. The effect of this medicine may affect or be affected by taking the following medicines at the same time:

• Medicines to lower your blood pressure
• Medicines used to thin the blood
• Aspirin or other NSAIDs, used for pain and inflammation

When should Nurofen Pain Relief Gel NOT be used?

Do NOT use this product if:

• You are allergic to any of the ingredients (see ingredients tab for full list).
• If you are asthmatic or suffer from rhinitis (allergic runny nose) or urticaria (hives) and have ever had a bad reaction to aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs in the past
• On broken, damaged, infected or diseased

Seek advice from your GP or a before using this product if:

• You have had an ulcer or some other problem affecting your stomach or intestines in the past
• You have any kidney problems
• You suffer from bronchial asthma or any allergic disease

Side Effects

Like all medicines, Nurofen 10% Gel can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. All medicines can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are rare. Any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Other side effects include:

• Itching or reddening of the skin
• A burning feeling
• Sore or weeping spots
• Abdominal Pain (pains in your stomach) or other abnormal stomach symptoms
• Kidney problems (particularly in people who have a history of kidney disease)

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

For further information on our medication restrictions policy, please click here.

If you are concerned about addiction to 'over the counter' medication, we urge you to visit the below links for professional help and advice:

• NHS Help & Advice on Drug Addiction
• Talk To Frank - Drug Addiction Help & Support