 | |
| Product type | Analgesic heat rub |
|---|---|
| Owner | Johnson & Johnson |
| Produced by | Johnson & Johnson |
| Country | Developed in France by Dr. Jules Bengué |
| Introduced | 1898 (as Ben-Gay) |
| Markets | Over-the-counter drug |
| Previous owners | Pfizer |
| Website |
www |
Bengay, spelled Ben-Gay before 1995, is a topical analgesic heat rub for temporary relief from muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis, bruises, simple backaches, overuse, sprains and strains. [1]
Overview
Bengay was developed in France by Dr. Jules Bengué (French pronunciation: [ʒyl bɛ̃ɡe]) and brought to North America in 1898. The name Bengué was Anglicized and commercialized to Ben-Gay (later Bengay). It was originally produced by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. The product is advised to be used topically for adults and children 12 years of age and older, and no more than 3 to 4 times daily. [2] The manufacturer recommends storing it between 20 and 25 °C (68 and 77 °F). [2]
According to a study published by MIT Technology Review, the exact mechanism of its efficacy is not known. However, evidence indicates that it activates a neuron named TRPM8, which appears to keep minor pain signals in the brain from communicating with the spine. [3]
Hazards
Bengay and similar products, such as Flexall, Mentholatum, Capzasin and Icy Hot, variously contain menthol, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), and capsaicin as active ingredients and have a potential to cause first-to-third-degree chemical burns. [4] [5] Some people have been hospitalized after receiving such burns. [4]
Methyl salicylate can also be toxic when excessively large doses many multiples of the recommended amount are administered, [6] [7] a rarity. [7]
In October 2007 in the United States, a teenage athlete overdosed and died from overexposure to methyl salicylate, [6] [7] having "more than six times the safe amount of the ingredient in her body." [6]
Active ingredients
Active ingredients vary by product version, including:
- Bengay: Original – 18.3% methyl salicylate and 16% menthol. [8]
- Bengay: Muscle Pain/Ultra Strength – 30% methyl salicylate, 10% menthol, and 4% camphor. [8]
- Bengay: Ice Extra Strength – 10% menthol.
- Bengay: Muscle Pain/No Odor – 15% triethanolamine salicylate.
- Bengay: Arthritis Extra Strength – 30% methyl salicylate and 8% menthol. [8]
Other uses
Bengay can be used to remove chewing gum from clothing, as the methyl salicylate serves to loosen and diffuse the gum base. [9] [10]
See also
References
- ^ "Self-medicate or see a doctor? A guide for 5 common ailments". AsiaOne. April 1, 2015. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bengay official website".
- ^ "The Mystery of BenGay". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
- ^ a b "Bengay may cause chemical burns". WSTM-TV. September 13, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ "Bengay, Icy Hot can cause serious burns: FDA". Chatham Daily News. September 13, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c Nazario, Brunilda (October 2007). "Bumpy Road". Women's Health. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b c Mundell, E.J. (June 15, 2007). "Bengay Death Highlights OTC Dangers". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c Pray, W.S. (2006). Nonprescription Product Therapeutics. Nonprescription Product Therapeutics. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-7817-3498-1. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Janeway, Kimberly (June 24, 2016). "How to Remove Stains Like Mustard, Red Wine, and Ink". Consumer Reports. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ "How to get rid of chewing gum from clothes". Deccan Chronicle. June 28, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
Further reading
- Haig, M. (2005). Brand Failures: The Truth about the 100 Biggest Branding Mistakes of All Time. Kogan Page Series. Kogan Page. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7494-4433-4.
- Claims, United States. Court of; Appeals, District of Columbia. Court of (1985). The Federal Reporter. West Publishing Company. pp. 209–211.
- Justo, Patrick Di (October 20, 2008). "What's Inside Ultra-Strength Bengay?". Wired. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- "Food, Drug, Cosmetic Law Reporter". Commerce Clearing House. 1960. pp. 8431, 8495–8496.
- PDR, Thomson; Physicians (2004). PDR for Nonprescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements. Thomson Pdr. p. 643. ISBN 978-1-56363-478-9. (subscription required)
- Shetty, D. (2015). Product Design For Engineers. Cengage Learning. pp. 28–29. ISBN 978-1-305-53719-4.
- Johnsen, Michael (July 26, 2011). "Dara Torres to serve as brand ambassador to Bengay". Drug Store News. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.