 | |
| 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.
Overview
Bengay was developed in France by Dr. Jules Bengué (French pronunciation: [ʒyl bɛ̃ɡe]) and brought to 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. The manufacturer recommends storing it between 20 and 25 °C (68 and 77 °F).
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.
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. Some people have been hospitalized after receiving such burns.
Methyl salicylate can also be toxic when excessively large doses many multiples of the recommended amount are administered, a rarity.
In October 2007 in the United States, a teenage athlete overdosed and died from overexposure to methyl salicylate, having "more than six times the safe amount of the ingredient in her body."
Active ingredients
Active ingredients vary by product version, including:
- Bengay: Original – 18.3% methyl salicylate and 16% menthol.
- Bengay: Muscle Pain/Ultra Strength – 30% methyl salicylate, 10% menthol, and 4% camphor.
- Bengay: Ice Extra Strength – 10% menthol.
- Bengay: Muscle Pain/No Odor – 15% triethanolamine salicylate.
- Bengay: Arthritis Extra Strength – 30% methyl salicylate and 8% menthol.
Other uses
Bengay can be used to remove chewing gum from clothing, as the methyl salicylate serves to loosen and diffuse the gum base.
See also
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.