Introduction About SPARK GEL

SPARK Gel is used to manage pain, swelling, and inflammation due to musculo-skeletal disorders such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, bursitis, hand, neck, shoulder pain, sciatica, muscle stiffness, joint pain, and backache. It contains Diclofenac Diethylamine, Linseed Oil, Menthol, and Methyl Salicylate, which is a combination of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, and counter-irritants.

SPARK Gel is not recommended for use during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester of the pregnancy. SPARK Gel should be used during breastfeeding only if it is clearly necessary and under medical supervision.

SPARK Gel is not recommended for use if you have attacks of asthma, urticaria, or acute rhinitis after using acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs (aspirin-sensitive asthma). It should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing asthma (without aspirin sensitivity). Consult your doctor before using it.

SPARK Gel should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. It is not recommended for use in patients with advanced renal disease unless clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before using it.

SPARK Gel should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Consult your doctor before using it.

The safety and effectiveness of SPARK Gel in children under the age of 14 years are not established. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.

The most common side effects of applying SPARK Gel are application site reactions, including skin irritation, rash, dermatitis, pruritus, erythema, paraesthesia, vesicles, papules, redness or swelling, and burning or stinging sensations. Consult your doctor before using it.

Uses Of SPARK GEL

• To manage pain and inflammatory conditions

How SPARK GEL Works

Diclofenac and methyl salicylate work by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), resulting in the reduced formation of prostaglandins, which are responsible for pain and inflammation. Linseed oil produces anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and helps reduce pain and inflammation. Linseed oil also softens the skin and thus soothes skin irritation.

Methyl salicylate produces a rubefacient effect by reddening the skin by dilatation of the blood vessels and giving a soothing feeling of warmth. Methyl salicylate also produces a counterirritant effect by causing irritation of the sensory nerve endings, which alters pain in the underlying muscles or joints that are served by the same nerves. Menthol acts as a rubefacient and causes localized vasodilatation, which gives feelings of comfort and warmth. Menthol produces a counter-irritant effect by imparting a cooling effect and by initially stimulating nociceptors and then desensitizing them.

How to use SPARK GEL

Apply SPARK Gel as advised by your doctor. It is for external use only. Gently rub a small quantity of the gel on the intact skin, on or around the painful or swollen area, till the gel disappears. It should be applied 3–4 times daily or as directed by the doctor. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of management depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. After application, the hands should be washed unless they are the site being managed.

Side Effects Of SPARK GEL

How To Manage Side Effects

Skin rash Or Itching

Avoid hot baths because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while going outside. Use unscented moisturizers to soothe and hydrate the affected area. Contact your doctor if your rashes worsen.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Contraindicated

SPARK Gel is not recommended for use during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, due to the risk of uterine inertia and/or premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Consult your doctor before using it.

Breastfeeding

Monitoring required

SPARK Gel should be used during breastfeeding only if it is clearly necessary and under medical supervision.

Kidney

Consult your doctor

SPARK Gel should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. It is not recommended for use in patients with advanced renal disease unless clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before using it.

Liver

Use with Caution

SPARK Gel should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Consult your doctor before using it.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not receive SPARK Gel if you are allergic to diclofenac diethylamine, linseed oil, menthol, and methyl salicylate, or aspirin or other NSAIDs, or to any other ingredients in this medicine.

Lungs

Consult your doctor

SPARK Gel is not recommended for use if you have attacks of asthma, urticaria, or acute rhinitis after using acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs (aspirin-sensitive asthma). It should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing asthma (without aspirin sensitivity). Consult your doctor before using it.

Heart Disease

Contraindicated

SPARK Gel is not recommended in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. It is generally not recommended for use in cases of severe heart failure unless clearly necessary. Consult your doctor before using it.

Use In Pediatrics

Consult your doctor

The safety and effectiveness of SPARK Gel in children under the age of 14 years are not established. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.

Use In Geriatrics

Use with Caution

SPARK Gel should be used with caution in elderly patients. Consult your doctor before receiving SPARK Gel.

Interactions

A. Drug-drug interactions:

• NSAIDs (Ex. aspirin, oral diclofenac)
• Antihypertensives (Ex. furosemide)
• Anticoagulants (Ex. warfarin)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of SPARK Gel, consult your doctor immediately. Symptoms of overdose are lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, GI bleeding, hypertension, acute renal failure, respiratory depression, vertigo, ataxia, drowsiness, and coma.

Synopsis

More Information

FAQs About SPARK GEL

Q: What precautions must be taken while using SPARK Gel?

A: Patients should minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight on managed areas to reduce the incidence of photosensitivity. Avoid showering or bathing for at least 1 hour after the application. Avoid wearing clothing or gloves for at least 10 minutes after applying the gel. Do not apply gel to open skin injuries or wounds, irritated skin, infections, or skin abrasions. Avoid contact of gel with the eyes and mucous membranes. Do not apply external heat and/or occlusive dressings to managed joints. Avoid exposure of the managed joint(s) to natural or artificial sunlight.

Q: Can I use cosmetics after applying SPARK Gel?

A: Avoid concomitant use of gel on the managed skin site with other topical products, including sunscreens, cosmetics, lotions, moisturizers, insect repellents, or other topical medications.

Q: What is the use of SPARK Gel?

A: SPARK Gel is used to manage pain, swelling, and inflammation due to musculo-skeletal disorders (such as sprains, strains, tendonitis, bursitis, hand, neck, shoulder pain, sciatica, muscle stiffness, joint pain, and backache). Consult your doctor before using it.

Q: How does SPARK Gel work?

A: Diclofenac and methyl salicylate work by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), resulting in the reduced formation of prostaglandins, which are responsible for pain and inflammation. Linseed oil produces anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and helps reduce pain and inflammation. Linseed oil also softens the skin and thus soothes skin irritation. Methyl salicylate produces a rubefacient effect by reddening the skin by dilatation of the blood vessels and giving a soothing feeling of warmth. Methyl salicylate also produces a counterirritant effect by causing irritation of the sensory nerve endings, which alters pain in the underlying muscles or joints that are served by the same nerves. Menthol acts as a rubefacient and causes localized vasodilatation, which gives feelings of comfort and warmth. Menthol produces a counter-irritant effect by imparting a cooling effect and by initially stimulating nociceptors and then desensitizing them.

Q: What does SPARK Gel contain?

A: SPARK Gel contains Diclofenac Diethylamine, Linseed Oil, Menthol, and Methyl Salicylate, which is a combination of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Analgesics, and Counter-irritants.

Q: How do you use SPARK Gel?

A: Apply SPARK Gel as advised by your doctor. It is for external use only. Gently rub a small quantity of the gel on the intact skin, on or around the painful/swollen area, till the gel disappears. It should be applied 3–4 times daily or as directed by the doctor. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of management depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. After application, the hands should be washed unless they are the site being managed.

Q: Is SPARK Gel safe during pregnancy?

A: SPARK Gel is not recommended for use during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester of the pregnancy, due to the risk of uterine inertia and/or premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. Consult your doctor before using it.

Q: Can I use SPARK Gel on children?

A: The safety and effectiveness of SPARK Gel in children under the age of 14 years are not established. Consult your child’s doctor for advice.

Q: Who should not use SPARK Gel?

A: Do not receive SPARK Gel if you are allergic to diclofenac diethylamine, linseed oil, menthol, and methyl salicylate or aspirin or other NSAIDs, or if you have attacks of asthma, urticaria, or acute rhinitis after using acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs (aspirin sensitive asthma), in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, or have aspirin or salicylate idiosyncrasy, and convulsions. Consult your doctor before using it.

Q: Is it safe to buy SPARK Gel from online pharmacies like Netmeds in India?

A: Generally, it is safe to buy SPARK Gel from reputable online pharmacies like Netmeds in India. Netmeds adheres to strict regulations to ensure the quality and authenticity of the medications. Netmeds has made buying online medicines easier for consumers and is one of India's leading online pharmacies.

References

1. KD. Tripathi. NSAIDs and antipyretic-analgesics. Essentials of Medical Pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 221.

2. Nair B, Taylor-Gjevre R. A Review of Topical Diclofenac Use in Musculoskeletal Disease. NIH National Library of medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubMed Central. June 2010. [Accessed on 30th April 2024]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4033958/

3. The Madras Pharmaceuticals. DICLOTAL-FORTE Gel. [Revised in January 2021] [Accessed on 30th April 2024]. https://bluecrosslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/DICLOTAL-FORTE-GEL.pdf

4. Epione Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Epidic Gel. [Accessed on 30th April 2024]. https://www.epionepharma.com/pdf/Epidic-gel.pdf

5. Kremoint Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Krishtat Relief Gel. [Accessed on 30th April 2024]. https://www.nafdac.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/Files/SMPC/Jan2_2022/Diclofenac-Diethylamine-Linseed-Oil-Methyl-Salicylate-Menthol-Gel-KRISHAT.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)/ Hemogram
• Liver Function Test (LFT)
• Kidney Function Test (KFT)
• Calcium
• Arthritis Profile
• Basic Arthritis Care
• Advanced Arthritis Care
• Autoimmune Arthritis Panel