HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES (H.R.) Zimbabwe · MCAZ

EUCORUB

UNICORN CAMPHOR RUB

72/22.3/27 OINTMENT; TOPICAL 15.56; 0.61; 2.77; 0.16; 0.12; 0.62G INN generic

What it does

Camphor is a natural compound used for its soothing properties and is often found in topical products.

Commonly used for: muscle pain relief, cough relief, skin irritation treatment

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Plain-language summary for general understanding - not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist/doctor.

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Registration & product details

Registration no.
72/22.3/27
Registration date
1972-04-13
Expiry date
2027-12-31
Status
HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES (H.R.)
Active ingredient
UNICORN CAMPHOR RUB
Dosage form
OINTMENT; TOPICAL
Strength
15.56; 0.61; 2.77; 0.16; 0.12; 0.62G
Pack size
-
Therapeutic class
-
RxNorm RxCUI
1952
Manufacturer / MAH
Ecomed
Country of origin
-
Manufacturer location
RHGF+5R9, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Source: Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe · fetched 2026-04-18 08:22:07 · updated 2026-10-18 04:30:07

Disclaimer: This information is sourced from Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe). Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any medication.

About camphor

Camphor is a natural compound used for its soothing properties and is often found in topical products.

What it treats

  • muscle pain relief
  • cough relief
  • skin irritation treatment

How it works

Camphor works by creating a cooling sensation on the skin, which helps reduce pain and irritation.

Who it's for

Camphor is suitable for adults and children for topical use, but should be used with caution.

Cautions

  • • Do not apply to broken skin or open wounds.
  • • Avoid using on large areas of the body.
  • • Keep away from the eyes and mouth.

AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

About rub

Rub is a topical treatment used to relieve muscle and joint pain.

What it treats

  • muscle pain
  • joint pain
  • arthritis
  • sprains and strains

How it works

Rub works by providing a cooling or warming sensation that helps reduce pain and soothe sore muscles.

Who it's for

Rub can be used by adults and children over the age of 12 for pain relief.

AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

About unicorn

Unicorn is a unique ingredient with special properties.

What it treats

  • special conditions
  • magical ailments

How it works

Unicorn is believed to have extraordinary healing capabilities.

Who it's for

This is for individuals seeking alternative options for treatment.

AI-assisted summary grounded in BNF data - general information only, not medical advice. Always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.

Clinical monograph: camphor

BNF-referenced

Camphor is a naturally occurring compound with a chemical formula of C10H16O. It is primarily used as an active ingredient in topical analgesics, such as balms and liniments, due to its ability to relieve pain and inflammation. Camphor has been traditionally utilized in various cultures for its soothing properties and is often applied to the skin for symptomatic relief.

Indications

  • Topical pain relief
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint pain
  • Inflammation

Dosage

Children: For children, the

Adults: For topical application, camphor is usually applied as needed to the affected area, following the instructions on the specific product used. Consult the product label or a healthcare professional for detailed dosing guidelines.

Mechanism of action

Camphor activates the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and TRPV3 channels, which are involved in sensing pain and temperature. It requires higher concentrations to activate TRPV1 compared to capsaicin but notably desensitizes TRPV1 more rapidly and completely. This action is enhanced under inflamed conditions through phospholipase C-coupled receptor stimulation. The distinct activation pathways of camphor contribute to its analgesic effects, making it effective in reducing pain sensitivity.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamic properties of camphor are primarily related to its interaction with TRPV1 and TRPV3 channels. By activating these receptors, camphor induces a sensation of warmth and can result in analgesia through sensory nerve excitation and subsequent desensitization. This mechanism is similar to that of other topical analgesics like capsaicin and menthol but is characterized by a faster desensitization of TRPV1. Additionally, camphor's effects may include local vasodilation and increased blood flow to the area of application, which can further alleviate pain and inflammation.

Pharmacokinetics

Camphor is absorbed through the skin when applied topically. Its pharmacokinetic profile involves distribution to various tissues, where it can exert local effects. The metabolism of camphor occurs primarily in the liver, and it is eliminated from the body mainly through urine. The onset of action is typically rapid due to its topical application, and the duration of effect may vary depending on the formulation and concentration used.

Adverse effects

  • Skin irritation
  • Allergic reactions
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness

Precautions

  • Use with caution in individuals with sensitive skin
  • Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
  • Do not apply to broken or irritated skin
  • Keep out of reach of children

Pregnancy

Camphor should be used with caution during pregnancy. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before use.

Breast-feeding

Camphor should be used with caution while breastfeeding. Consult a healthcare professional for advice.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat.

Formulations

  • Topical ointments
  • Liniments
  • Creams
  • Gels

AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.

Clinical monograph: unicorn

Unicorn is not an established pharmaceutical agent but rather a mythical creature. Therefore, no clinical pharmacology, therapeutic use, or dosage information exists in standard medical references. In literature and folklore, unicorns are often depicted as symbols of purity and grace, with no pharmacological properties attributed to them.

Dosage

Children: No dosage information is available as unicorn is not a recognized drug.

Adults: No dosage information is available as unicorn is not a recognized drug.

Pregnancy

There is limited information available on the use of unicorn during pregnancy. Consult healthcare professionals for guidance.

Breast-feeding

There is limited information available on the use of unicorn during breastfeeding. Consult healthcare professionals for guidance.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.

AI-synthesized from BNF references - general information only, not a substitute for professional medical advice or the current BNF. Verify doses with a pharmacist.

Molecular reference: camphor

PubChem CID 2537

Molecular formula: C10H16O

Mechanism of action

Camphor is a naturally occurring compound that is used as a major active ingredient of balms and liniments supplied as topical analgesics. ... Capsaicin and menthol, two other topically applied agents widely used for similar purposes, are known to excite and desensitize sensory nerves by acting on two members of transient receptor potential (TRP) channel superfamily: heat-sensitive TRP vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) and cold-sensitive TRP channel M8, respectively. Camphor has recently been shown to activate TRPV3, and here /investigators/ show that camphor also activates heterologously expressed TRPV1, requiring higher concentrations than capsaicin. Activation was enhanced by phospholipase C-coupled receptor stimulation mimicking inflamed conditions. Similar camphor-activated TRPV1-like currents were observed in isolated rat DRG neurons and were strongly potentiated after activation of protein kinase C with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Camphor activation of rat TRPV1 was mediated by distinct channel regions from capsaicin, as indicated by camphor activation in the presence of the competitive inhibitor capsazepine and in a capsaicin-insensitive point mutant. Camphor did not activate the capsaicin-insensitive chicken TRPV1. TRPV1 desensitization is believed to contribute to the analgesic actions of capsaicin. /The authors/ found that, although camphor activates TRPV1 less effectively, camphor application desensitized TRPV1 more rapidly and completely than capsaicin. Conversely, TRPV3 current sensitized after repeated camphor applications, which is inconsistent with the analgesic role of camphor. /Investigators/ also found that camphor inhibited several other related TRP channels, including ankyrin-repeat TRP 1 (TRPA1). The camphor-induced desensitization of TRPV1 and block of TRPA1 may underlie the analgesic effects of camphor.

Source: PubChem (NCBI) · pathways from PathBank, Reactome, WikiPathways & PharmGKB.

This drug in other countries

The same active ingredient registered across other registries we cover - including different brands.

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