Comprehensive medication guide to Thera-Gesic including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Thera-Gesic is an OTC product and is not covered by standard insurance plans including Medicare Part D. FSA/HSA accounts can be used to purchase it with pre-tax dollars. Some Medicare Advantage plans include an OTC benefit that may cover it.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$12–$16 retail for an 85g tube; as low as $9.24 with a SingleCare coupon or $8.89 with the Drugs.com discount card. No generic marketed under the Thera-Gesic brand, but store-brand methyl salicylate/menthol creams are available for $5–$8.
Medfinder Findability Score
80/100
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Thera-Gesic is an over-the-counter topical pain cream manufactured by MainPointe Pharmaceuticals, LLC. It contains two active ingredients: 15% methyl salicylate and 1% menthol. Methyl salicylate is a salicylate counterirritant derived from oil of wintergreen, while menthol is a natural analgesic from mint plants.
Thera-Gesic is classified as a topical rubefacient — a product that relieves pain by creating sensory stimulation at the skin surface. It is available without a prescription and is not a controlled substance. It comes in an 85-gram tube and can be applied up to 3-4 times daily for adults and children 12 and older.
One of Thera-Gesic's most distinctive features is its customizable layering system: one thin layer provides a mild effect, two thin layers provide a strong effect, and three thin layers provide a very strong effect. This allows users to adjust pain relief intensity without switching products. Uniquely, showering after application removes the scent without reducing the therapeutic effect.
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Thera-Gesic works through a mechanism called counterirritant action — also explained by the gate control theory of pain. When the active ingredients in Thera-Gesic stimulate sensory receptors in the skin, they generate competing nerve signals that effectively override deeper pain signals coming from muscles and joints.
Menthol (1%) activates TRPM8 cold receptors in the skin, creating a cooling sensation. Methyl salicylate (15%) activates TRPV1 heat receptors, creating a warming sensation. This dual cool-then-warm sequence provides a more comprehensive sensory override than either ingredient alone. Additionally, methyl salicylate is absorbed through the skin and acts as a mild anti-inflammatory by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis — similar to the mechanism of aspirin.
The pain-relieving effect typically begins within minutes of application and lasts approximately 2-4 hours. The product is intended for temporary symptomatic relief and does not treat the underlying cause of chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.
15% methyl salicylate / 1% menthol — topical cream
85g tube. Apply 1-3 thin layers to affected area up to 3-4 times daily. For adults and children 12+.
25% methyl salicylate / 4% menthol — topical cream
Thera-Gesic Plus — higher strength formula. Same application method. 85g tube.
Thera-Gesic is generally available at major pharmacy chains, big-box retailers, and online stores. As of 2026, it is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. However, because it is a niche OTC product with limited shelf space at most stores, patients can occasionally encounter empty shelves — particularly during periods of high demand in colder months or following regional supply disruptions.
If you're having trouble finding Thera-Gesic at your local pharmacy, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to check which ones have it in stock. Thera-Gesic is most reliably available at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and major online retailers including Amazon.
Patients who are unable to find Thera-Gesic may consider comparable OTC alternatives such as Bengay (methyl salicylate + menthol), Icy Hot (methyl salicylate + menthol), or Biofreeze (menthol only, for those with salicylate sensitivity). For arthritis pain, Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel (diclofenac 1%) is an ACR-recommended alternative.
Thera-Gesic is an over-the-counter product that does not require a prescription. Any licensed healthcare provider can recommend it, and any patient can purchase it without a prescription. There are no DEA scheduling requirements or prescriber restrictions.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and family medicine doctors
Rheumatologists (for arthritis management)
Orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians
Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Pharmacists (OTC recommendation)
Telehealth providers can also recommend Thera-Gesic or equivalent alternatives for muscle and joint pain. For straightforward musculoskeletal complaints, telehealth platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, and Amazon Clinic offer convenient same-day consultations.
No. Thera-Gesic is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling. It is an over-the-counter (OTC) topical cream that can be purchased without a prescription at any pharmacy, big-box store, or online retailer. There are no special prescriber restrictions, refill limitations, or identification requirements to purchase it.
Because Thera-Gesic contains methyl salicylate — a salicylate related to aspirin — it is not appropriate for children under 12 without medical guidance, and children or teenagers with viral illness should not use it due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. These are safety restrictions related to the active ingredient, not controlled substance regulations.
Most side effects are local and mild:
Warming or burning sensation at the application site
Cooling sensation from menthol
Mild skin redness at application site
Strong wintergreen/menthol scent (fades after showering)
Severe skin blistering, burns, or peeling (especially if a heating pad was used)
Allergic reaction: hives, swelling, difficulty breathing
Signs of salicylate toxicity: ringing in ears, nausea, rapid breathing (with heavy use)
Symptoms lasting more than 7 days or worsening after use
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Bengay Ultra Strength
Closest equivalent: same methyl salicylate + menthol formula at higher concentration (30%/10%). Widely available at all major pharmacies.
Icy Hot
Popular methyl salicylate + menthol counterirritant available in cream, patch, spray, and roll-on formats. More variety of application forms than Thera-Gesic.
Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel
OTC topical NSAID (diclofenac 1%). ACR-recommended for knee and hand osteoarthritis. Reduces inflammation rather than masking pain — best for arthritis.
Biofreeze
Menthol-only counterirritant. No salicylates — safe for aspirin-sensitive patients. Cooling relief only, no warming effect.
Aspercreme
Trolamine salicylate formulation — odor-free pain relief. Also available in lidocaine formulation for numbing relief.
Prefer Thera-Gesic? We can find it.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateTopical methyl salicylate can enhance anticoagulant effects of warfarin, potentially raising INR and increasing bleeding risk. Most significant with heavy or widespread application. Monitor INR if combination is used.
Oral NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin)
minorAdds to overall salicylate/NSAID exposure. Risk is low with standard localized topical use but may increase with heavy application to large areas. Caution advised if combining with chronic oral NSAID use.
Methotrexate
moderateSalicylates can reduce renal clearance of methotrexate, potentially increasing methotrexate levels and toxicity. Primarily a concern with excessive topical use or oral salicylates.
Aspirin sensitivity / NSAID hypersensitivity
majorMethyl salicylate is chemically related to aspirin. Cross-reactivity is possible in patients with documented aspirin allergy or NSAID hypersensitivity (urticaria, angioedema, bronchospasm).
Thera-Gesic is a well-established OTC topical pain cream with a unique layering system that allows patients to customize pain relief intensity. It uses proven counterirritant technology — methyl salicylate and menthol — to provide temporary relief of minor arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, and sprains. While it does not treat the underlying cause of chronic conditions, it provides effective symptomatic relief for millions of patients.
Key safety considerations include: never using with a heating pad, keeping away from children under 12, avoiding use in aspirin-sensitive patients, and monitoring for interactions with warfarin. Used correctly, it has a favorable safety profile for most adult patients with minor musculoskeletal pain.
If you're having trouble locating Thera-Gesic at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area to find which ones have it in stock and text you the results — saving you time and frustration.
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