Skin has a big absorptive surface, as does mucosa. My daily pill case and PRN's now exceed what should be altering my chemical innards so I've taken to topicals. For a recent road trip, I gathered Voltaren, Lidocaine, and Ben-Gay into a soft tossable plastic bag along with a bottle of naproxen, none of which I used despite some soreness. As I cope with rhinitis, this time infectious, fluticasone has come to the rescue. What I found most helpful has been the OTC Voltaren, now the drug of choice for DJD if limited to an area where it can be applied. My right shoulder hurt enough to limit use of my right arm. The stuff only works if taken on schedule, which I did bid for about a week, resulting in a fully useful shoulder with scant residual discomfort. My right knee could be doing better but my commitment to the schedule did not hold.
Back pain calls for the PRN forms of lidocaine. I have two areas, one midback and persistent, largely at the edges of what I can reach and a more classical lumbar area. Lidocaine gives very temporary analgesia, enough to get on a treadmill.
Not to ignore Ben-Gay, its role has been for exercise induced myalgia. Intermediate efficacy but attracted Priscilla the Cat who started licking the fingers used for application.
No systemic effects, currently off all. Useful when needed.
