Aspercreme Products for Joint and Muscle Pain

Medically Reviewed by Beth Johnston, PharmD, BCPS on June 25, 2025
5 min read

Aspercreme products are used to treat pain in specific areas, including the arm, leg, foot, back, neck, shoulders, and wrist. The main active ingredient in most Aspercreme products is a topical analgesic called lidocaine. Lidocaine produces a numbing effect by blocking nerve signals that cause you to feel pain. 

Aspercreme products may alternatively contain the following as listed below.

  • Diclofenac, a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which helps with pain and inflammation
  • Trolamine, a topical analgesic, which helps with pain 

There are Aspercreme products for adults and children as young as 12 years old.

Any medicine may cause an allergic reaction, which can be serious or life-threatening. Stop using the medicine and get medical attention right away if you have any of the following signs of an allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Side effects may vary depending on the ingredients in the specific product you are using. Some possible side effects include itching, redness, dryness, peeling, rash, or burning of the skin.

As Aspercreme products contain different active ingredients (listed below), review the ingredients in your specific product to understand which side effects you might experience.

  • Diclofenac
  • Lidocaine
  • Trolamine

Do not use Aspercreme products on cuts, wounds, or irritated, swollen, damaged, or infected skin. Do not bandage the area tightly (where you apply the product), use an ice pack or heating pad on top of where you applied the product, or expose the area to direct sunlight. Do not get Aspercreme products in your eyes, mouth, vagina, or nose and do not swallow the medicine. After using Aspercreme products, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Some Aspercreme products may have a warning to not use other pain medicines that you apply to your skin while using Aspercreme. Always follow the label of the Aspercreme product you are using. 

Stop using Aspercreme products if you have any of the following.

  • Condition worsens or your symptoms last for seven days or more
  • Symptoms clear up and come back again after a few days
  • Redness or excessive skin irritation
  • Pain, swelling, blistering, or severe burning of the skin

Ask your health care provider before using an Aspercreme product if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding. 

There is an Aspercreme product called Aspercreme Arthritis Pain that contains an NSAID called diclofenac. Topical NSAIDs like diclofenac carry additional risks such as stomach bleedingheart attackstroke, and heart failure. The risk of these serious side effects can increase if you take certain medicines such as other NSAIDs or blood thinners, drink alcohol, have liver problems, high blood pressure, heart problems, or asthma. If you are using Aspercreme Arthritis Pain, read the label before using the medicine, and talk to your health care provider if any medical conditions or warnings on the label apply to you or if you experience any of the side effects written on the label. 

There may be side effects, additional warnings, and interactions with other medicines that are not listed here. These may vary depending on the combination of ingredients in the specific Aspercreme product you are using. Always check the label before taking any over-the-counter medicine. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your health conditions and other medicines to help determine which products are safe for you.

Use the tables below to help you find the best product to treat your symptoms.

Pain

Active ingredient

  • Topical analgesic: lidocaine

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream with Eucalyptus Essential Oil 

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Cream

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Features

Eucalyptus scent

Product

Aspercreme Pain Relief Cream with Lidocaine

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Cream

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Fragrance-Free Pain Relief Roll-On

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Roll-on

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Features

Fragrance-free

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Roll-On with Essential Oils

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Roll-on

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Features

Lavender, bergamot orange, or rosemary 

scent

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Dry Spray

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Spray

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Features

Does not need to be rubbed in

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Patch

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Patch 

Dosing Frequency

No more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Foot pain

Active ingredient

  • Topical analgesic: lidocaine

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream for Foot Pain

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Cream

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Product

Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream for Foot Pain-Diabetic Skin

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Cream

Dosing Frequency

Every 6 to 8 hours; no more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Pain associated with arthritis, simple backache, muscle strains, sprains, and bruises

Active ingredient:

  • Topical analgesic: trolamine

Product

Aspercreme Pain Relief Cream

Age

12 years and older

Formulation

Cream

Dosing Frequency

No more than 3 to 4 times a day 

Arthritis pain

Active ingredient:

  • Topical NSAID: diclofenac

Product

Aspercreme Arthritis Pain Relief Gel

Age

18 years and older

Formulation

Gel

Dosing Frequency

4 times a day