Pain relief for would-be movers and shakers

Key Points

Aging boomers and winter couch potatoes returning to spring outdoor activities need help for their aching backs, creaky joints, sore muscles, and headaches. To relieve those aches and pains, companies have launched new products, extended lines, and renamed some products.

From Nutra Pharma comes Cobroxin, the first OTC (Stage 2) pain reliever to treat moderate-to-severe chronic pain. The oral spray works against lower back pain, migraines, neck aches, shoulder pain, cramps, and neuralgia. The topical gel treats joint, arthritic, and repetitive stress pain. All-natural Cobroxin uses a novel mechanism of action derived from cobra venom peptides.

Novartis Consumer Health's new Excedrin Menstrual Complete uses three ingredients (acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine) to relieve five major symptoms (bloating, cramps, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue). A package contains 20 Express Gels.

In addition to introducing an Organique personal-care line just a year ago, Himalaya Herbal Healthcare has rid its entire supplement line of all artificial fillers, binders, and excipients. A company spokesman told Drug Topics, "In addition, most of our single herbs now bear the Certified USDA Organic seal."

Organique's U-Knead-It Organic Soothing Balm contains eucalyptus oil (analgesic), lemon oil (skin revitalizer), and Chinese mint-leaf oil (pain reliever). The line's Stress Massage Oil blends Ashwagandha root extract, triphala, rosemary, and lavender for relaxing and antispasmodic effects, as well as stress and pain relief. Himalaya's JointCare, a proprietary herbal formula, helps maintain the integrity of joints and muscles and provides nutritional support for healthy ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joint structure. It also promotes a healthy range of motion, body flexibility, and joint vitality.

Joint Juice has introduced Joint Juice Supplement Drink, which adds chondroitin and vitamin D₃ to its original Joint Juice, formulated to support bone and joint health. A new Cran-Pomegranate flavor has replaced the previous Tropical flavor. Also added is a Blueberry Acai flavor. Both flavors are available in 6-packs of 8-oz. bottles.

Boiron has given its Arnicare line of topicals a facelift with updated packaging that adds new product features and floral graphics to highlight each product's natural benefits. The packaging is also color-coded to differentiate each formula as cream, gel, or ointment. Arnicare Gel has a prominent blue flower design, Arnicare Cream is represented by green, and Arnicare Ointment features purple. Containing homeopathic Arnica montana, a mountain plant belonging to the daisy family, Arnicare provides localized relief of muscle aches, stiffness, swelling, and discoloration from bruises. The formulas do not contain artificial colors or perfumes.

Dana K. Cassell, a frequent contributor to Drug Topics, lives in North Stratford, N.H.