MedHeadlines - Alpharma Inc has announced the availability of FLECTOR® Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3%, the first anti-inflammatory pain relief patch in the US.

Unlike the widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are taken by mouth and are therefore associated with a variety of gastrointestinal side-effects, such as nausea, upset stomach or gastric ulcers, Flector patch is applied directly to the skin, close to the area causing pain. This mode of administration ensures that the systemic side-effects are much less pronounced than those of oral pain medications.

Flector® Patch is a prescription medication indicated for the topical treatment of acute pain due to minor strains, sprains and contusions. In a national poll conducted by the National Pain Foundation (NPF), 82% of respondents expressed interest in a pain medication applied directly to the skin, close to the pain.