INTRODUCTION: Lunsford Richardson developed the formula in 1894 (1).When he created a salve for his children after travelling to France and he named the product for his brother-in-law Dr. Joshua Vick. A Penn state study showed Vicks Vaporub to be effective in helping to reduce nasal congestion i.e seen in common cold (coryza) and thus reduce cough in both children and adults (2). Vicks Vaporub is an effective cough medicine for Guinea pigs (3). Vicks Vaporub has also been used in the treatment of onychomycosis (fungal infection of nail) (4). ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Label reads: special vick medications (camphor, menthol, spirits of turpentine, eucalyptus oil, cedar leaf oil, thymol, myristica oil) compounded by the original vick process. Camphor (4.8%)--cough suppressant and topical analgesic. Eucalyptol (1.2%)--cough suppressant. Menthol (2.6%)--cough suppressant and topical analgesic.
INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Cedar leaf oil, Nutmeg oil, Turpentine oil, special petrolatum.
CASE REPORTS:
CASE 1: A 21yrs old male suffering from cold and cough and he was self medicated by using vicks vaporub (for the first time) before he had used zandu balm. He had applied vicks vaporub to his nose and cheeks and developed inflammatory reactions in 8-12hrs, which then progressed to maculopapular rashes (fig 1) on the applied areas. Suspecting a case of adverse drug reaction by vicks vaporub and he was advised to take Tab. Avil (Pheniramine Maleate 22.5mg) and Tab. Wysolone (Prednisolone 10mg) once a day and the very next day he was relieved by his symptoms and to be noticed is he had developed rashes even on his back as he had applied a little of vicks vaporub over his back also and...
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