Celadrin (joint cream)


Celadrin is a proprietary blend containing cetylated and esterified fatty acids, which can be found in the fats of animals and plants. This proprietary blend's proposed mechanism of action is to improve the strength of cell membranes. It also reduces inflammation and can therefore improve joint mobility. Celadrin is a topical analgesic that exists in a cream formulation and is used for muscle and joint pains including osteoarthritis, strains, bruises, and sprains. The only active ingredient in this over-the-counter drug formulation is menthol. It is distributed by Imagenetix of San Diego, California.

Published studies

A human study showed that one week of treatment with a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids and menthol was similarly effective for reducing pain and improving functional performance in individuals with arthritis of the knee, elbow, and wrist; these data support the use of a topical cream consisting of cetylated fatty acids for enhancing the potential for exercise training in this population. Another human study concluded that compared to placebo, CFA provides an improvement in knee range of motion and overall function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee; thus CFA may be an alternative to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of OA.
An in vitro study that investigated the effects of glucosamine and celadrin on platelet function concluded that glucosamine and celadrin may inhibit platelet aggregation in some individuals via aspirin-like effects as well as inhibition of ADP receptor P2Y1, but not P2Y12

Interactions

The antiplatelet effects of cealdrin mean that theoretically celadrin may interact with blood thinners, although this interaction has not been studied, and it is doubtful if this interaction occurs with the topical application of celadrin where the systemic absorbance is low.