2 Over-the-Counter Pain Creams Recalled Nationwide

Data suggest greater than 50 million Americans look for chronic pain relief—and if you’re one of them, you may have a preferred pain cream you keep handy. Bengay has long been a classic for conditions like backaches, arthritis, and muscle pain, and in recent years newer brands have emerged in part to appeal to holistically minded consumers with the added pledge to deliver “supernatural” levels of pain relief.

A manufacturer out of Dallas distributes two such on the market that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports are being recalled. ARG Laboratories, Inc. has executed a Class II recall of multiple varieties of each Golden Tiger Natural Pain Relieving Cream and Pain Wizard Natural Relief for Muscular and Arthritic Pain.

Golden Tiger says their proprietary Natural Pain Relieving Cream formula “has given so many people relief from pain and inflammation” and is effective for managing pain from arthritis, massage, bursitis, neck aches, headaches, cramps, backaches, bruises, muscle strains and sprains, fibromyalgia, muscle soreness, joint pain, sports injuries, and tendonitis.

Pain Wizard is said to help alleviate pain from arthritis, neck pain, tendonitis, sciatica, bursitis, leg cramps, fibromyalgia, knee pain, headaches, tennis elbow, back pain and heel pain.

Both products contain 3% of both camphor and menthol, and the FDA says the recalls are being conducted due to “Violative grade of propylene glycol used during the manufacturing process.”

Propylene glycol is employed as an additive in food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products for its thickening and blending properties—one 2014 report noted that it’s the main ingredient in stick deodorants. In 1974, the World Health Organization placed a maximum permissible daily intake limit at 25 milligrams per kilogram of propylene glycol. Toxicity can result in issues involving the cardiovascular or nervous systems, the kidneys, and more.

Varieties of Golden Tiger and Pain Wizard contain the following product specification details—all were “distributed nationwide in the USA” and sold through retailers such as Walmart and Amazon:

• Pain Wizard Natural Relief for Muscular & Arthritic Pain
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Camphor, Menthol & MSM
  • Bottle with pump, NET WT 16 fluid oz / 473.17 m
  • Lot: 18723C3, Exp 06/30/2025

• GOLDEN TIGER NATURAL PAIN RELIEVING CREAM,
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Aloe Vera, Willow Bark & MSM
  • Gallon Jug 128 fl. oz. (3776 ml)
  • Lot: 01823C2, Exp 01/31/2025

• Pain Wizard, Natural Relief for Muscular & Arthritic Pain
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Camphor, Menthol & MSM
  • Tube, NET WT 8 oz (226.79g)
  • Lots 19823C4, EXP 07/31/2025; 01623C1, Exp 01/31/2025

• Pain Wizard, Natural Relief for Muscular & Arthritic Pain
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Camphor, Menthol & MSM
  • Tube NET WT 4oz (113.39g)
  • Lot 06023C1, Exp 01/31/2025

• NATURAL PAIN RELIEVING CREAM, GOLDEN TIGER
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Pump Capsaicin, Aloe Vera, Willow Bark & MSM, Bottle with Pump
  • NET WT 32 fl. oz (946.33ml)
  • Lot 01823C2, 01823C1, Exp 01/31/2025

• GOLDEN TIGER NATURAL PAIN RELIEVING CREAM
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Aloe Vera, Willow Bark & MSM
  • Tube 4 oz (113.39 g)
  • Lot 01623C1, Exp 01/31/2025

• Pain Wizard, Natural Relief for Muscular & Arthritic Pain
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Camphor, Menthol & MSM
  • Roll-On 3 fl oz (88.7ml)
  • Lot 17323C3, Exp 06/30/2025

• GOLDEN TIGER NATURAL PAIN RELIEVING CREAM
  • (Camphor 3%, Menthol 3%)
  • Enriched with Capsaicin, Aloe Vera, Willow Bark & MSM
  • Roll-On NET WT 3 fl. oz. (88.7ml)
  • Lot 17323C3, Exp 06/30/2025

The amount of propylene glycol used in the recalled formulations is not clear. The FDA alerts do not specify how the company is remedying the situation, and it does not appear Golden Tiger has social accounts nor a customer service contact. If you purchased any of the affected Pain Wizard products, you may consider reaching out to customer service at the company or calling the number published on their site: 877-765-4093.

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