Pharmacological concept for topical synergistic analgesia of peripheral neuromuscular pain.

A pharmacological concept of topical peripheral pain therapy with a combination of a sodium channel blocker from the class of local anesthetics and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) from the class of nonselective/ partially selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors is described. The dual mechanism of action of these substances on the cellular level interferes with pain components of both inflammatory and neuronal genesis and is functionally synergistic. This enables the combination of these agents to produce a more long-lasting analgesia than is attainable with either of the substances alone. The therapeutic indication is the symptomatic reduction of neuromuscular pain of traumatic or metabolic origin. The already more favorable safety profile for topical applications can be improved further by a possible dose reduction of the two substances.