Warming ointments such as Algipan are used against muscle pain, cramps, bruises or sprains. Athletes like to use such ointments before or after exercise, to warm up stiff muscles or to relieve muscle pain.
But does Algipan deliver what it promises? Unfortunately there is no convincing scientific evidence that such a muscle ointment really helps with acute or chronic muscle or joint pain. In addition, Algipan contains several active ingredients that security risks content, which is why we advise against it.
What helps against muscle pain?
What is Algipan and what is it used for?
According to the manufacturer, Algipan Balm is indicated for muscle and joint pain: it is said to provide relief from muscle and ligament pain or painful contractures (shortening of muscle tissue): post-traumatic pain (pain after an accident), osteoarthritis, muscle pain, ligament pain, stiff neck and lumbago (lower back pain).
Algipan has the status of a medicinal product and is available in pharmacies without a prescription.
Ingredients and Mechanisms of Action of Algipan
Warming ointments all work on the same principle: they contain substances that locally irritate or irritate the skin. In English this is called a counterirritant. Often it concerns herbal and plant extracts.
The active ingredients of Algipan are glycol salicylate, mephenesin and methyl nicotinate. Glycol salicylate and methyl nicotinate are counterirritantsmephenisine is said to have a muscle relaxant effect.
Effectiveness of Algipan
Our research: does Algipan really work?
By locally irritating the skin, our brain is tricked in two ways: on the one hand, that irritation distracts our brain from the actual pain, on the other hand, it gives a false sensation of heat or cold.
Algipan therefore does not really heat the muscles or joints: it only sends stimuli of heat or cold to our brain, which drown out the pain signal. The effect is the same as when you bump your knee and rub it, where the stimuli of the friction (partially) drown out the pain stimuli.
In addition, the blood vessels at the level of the skin expand, so that more blood flows temporarily through the upper layers of the skin. That explains why the skin often turns red and swells when you apply the cream. However, this better blood flow remains very superficial and does not touch the deeper muscles, tendons or joints. In these deeper tissues there is no temperature rise.
Side effects of Algipan
Not only is there no convincing scientific evidence that Algipan actually helps with acute or chronic muscle or joint pain, the balm also contains a combination of ingredients that may have nasty side effects. side effects can provoke.
Risks of mephenesin in Algipan: allergic reactions
Algipan contains mephenesin which may cause serious skin conditions or local allergic reactions. In addition, it contains the substances methyl parahydroxybenzoate and propyl parahydrobenzoate, which can also cause allergic reactions and change the taste of breast milk.
Risks of glycol salicylate in Algipan: symptoms of poisoning when ingested or overdose
Algipan is for external use only. If the product is accidentally ingested, glycol salicylate can cause poisoning symptoms, especially in small children. These symptoms are fainting, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, confusion, fever, increased or deepened breathing (hyperventilation).
In severe cases, ingestion can lead to central nervous system and circulatory problems, as well as respiratory arrest. Therefore always keep this product out of the reach of children.
Our conclusion: Algipan is not recommended
Not only is there no convincing clinical evidence that Algipan helps with acute or chronic muscle or joint pain, it also contains several active ingredients that pose safety concerns.
Advice on the use of Algipan
If you still want to use Algipan, take the following precautions:
- Do not use Algipan without a doctor’s advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Algipan is not suitable for small children. Also, always keep it out of their reach.
- Test the balm on a small area of skin before first use. After all, there is a real chance that you will have an allergic reaction to one or more ingredients.
- Wash your hands after each use.
- Do not apply Algipan under a bandage or on skin that has already been heated in other ways, as this increases the risk of burns.
- Avoid contact with eyes or mucous membranes such as mouth, nostrils or genitals.
- Also do not apply to wounds, or to damaged or irritated skin (e.g. insect bites).
Alternatives to Algipan
We also took a closer look at the effectiveness and possible risks of Dexsil Sport joints and muscles, Flexicream, Rado Stick, Reflexspray and tiger balm.
Are these products better than Algipan?
To be on the safe side, check our overview before purchasing such a product, and find out which other analgesics you can safely use against muscle and joint pain.
