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Fatality Caused by Muscle-Pain Reliever Bengay

June 12, 2007. By Jane Mundy

Staten Island, NY: Yet another over-the-counter remedy has proven fatal, this time the death of 17-year-old Arielle Newman. For the most part, non-prescription drugs are safe if they aren't abused. But when does repeated use of an analgesic heat rub such as Bengay become toxic? Is there a warning on the package telling you how much is too much?


According to the Staten Island Advance, doctors couldn't recall any other deaths cause by topical salicylate poisoning, "But research into medical journals revealed a few reports of salicylate toxicity when absorbed through the skin." Symptoms of salicylate poisoning include nausea and vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, convulsions and agitation.

Methyl Salicylate is found in brand names BenGay, Icy Hot and Mentholatum Deep Heat, all used to relieve muscle and joint pain. Bengay (formerly Ben-Gay) was developed in France and introduced to the U.S. in 1898. It is now produced by Pfizer.

Bengay "Original" contains 15% Methyl Salicylate while "Extra Strength" and "Ultra Strength" varieties contain 30% of the chemical. It is used for muscle and joint ache and minor arthritis pain. Arielle was using Bengay Ultra Strength.

The label on Ultra Strength Bengay states that consumers should apply the product no more than three or four times daily and should stop use and see a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms persist for more than a week. Still, it doesn't say how much can be applied.

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