Arnica Cream

[Tamgirl]

Just a quick question. I take Edoxaban (30 mg). I know Arnica shouldn't be taken orally with anti coagulants but would it be ok to use topically as a cream for leg pain?

[BobD Volunteer]

My doctor told me years ago that creams and gels were OK as so little got into the blood stream.

[Tamgirl in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, that's what I thought.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to BobD]

Hi

Well, using an oestrogen patch in 1990s the cream I had to spread almost immediately gave me bleeding eczema at the back if the left I was putting it on! That would be into the blood stream surely.

cheri Joy. 76. (NZ)

[Karendeena in reply to BobD]

My doctor said to use topical arnica cream on bruises. I have also been prescribed Diclofenac 1% topical cream for bursitis

[Blearyeyed]

It depends.Arnica cream can bring out bruising from an injury.

Bruising can be worse using Arnica cream after an injury or surgery if you take anticoagulants.

Arnica cream isn't that effective as a cream for leg pain.

Magnesium creams or lotions are better for neuropathy.

BetterYou make a good selection tested by Cardiff University which also state the average mg of Magnesium on each application.

They have their own website with deals , and also sell through supermarkets , chemist , health shops and in Amazon.

If the pain is caused by inflammation in the muscle or joints there is a cream called Flexiseq.

It is more expensive than Arnica but it is drug free and can be used whilst on anticoagulants and antiplatelets, including for those using Warfarin.

It's available at pharmacies or on Amazon.

It's highly recommended by people with pain caused by arthritis or back issues.

[Tamgirl in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you. That is helpful.

[wilsond]

Yes,definitely OK. I was advised to use it after my ablation, as I had extensive bruising due to 6 attempts to get catheter in.It's only when taken orally, as in NSAIDs too there could be a problem.

Xx

[Tamgirl in reply to wilsond]

Thanks

[Vonnegut]

If you have bruising the cream would be helpful in my experience. Fortunately, since taking Flecainide regularly has put an end to episodes ofAF for me, I have been able to stop taking anticoagulants and am free of the bruising.

[Ellie-Ann]

I’ve been using Ibuprofen gel as the doctor said it’s applied topically so would be ok but the heart failure nurse said “ Whatever you put onto your skin it will eventually get into your blood stream” and advised me against.

We all know that a lot of meds are in patches now and applied to the skin so ‘ be careful’ if you do it or better still take advice from your cardiology team.

[Jishuang44]

What is the problem with arnica exactly? I am due to have quite a complex tooth extraction soon and on previous occasions took arnica pills every 2 hours to relieve the pain and swelling. I am really worried now as I have no idea what else would work as well.

[Tamgirl in reply to Jishuang44]

Arnica can can have an anti-coagulant effect on the blood so is not good to use if you are already on anti coagulants.