Counterirritant
Menthol
Clear gel with cooling sensation
Typical Strength
1%–10%
Formulations
0 compounds
Formula
C₁₀H₂₀O
Mol. Weight
156.27 g/mol
How It Works
Mechanism of action
Activates TRPM8 cold-sensing receptors, producing a cooling sensation that masks pain (counterirritant effect) and provides mild local analgesia. A common adjunct active in topical pain and muscle compounds.
What compounding can change
When Menthol is compounded for one patient, your prescriber can choose the concentration, combine it with other ingredients, and pick the base. Commercial products come in fixed strengths and bases.
Safety Considerations
Please note: Compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed prescriber for an individual patient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. A compounded medication is not the same as, or a generic version of, any FDA-approved drug. This page is general information, not medical advice. Your prescriber decides whether a treatment is right for you and sets the final ingredients, strength and dosage form.