Doloderm was an analgesic drug used for the management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. It was a useful ointment for the topical treatment of localized pain, notably muscular and arthritic pains. The drug showed a good skin penetration capacity and anti-inflammatory efficacy. The active ingredient of Doloderm was methyl 2-(2-ethylbutanoyloxy)benzoate, also known as methyl butetisalicylate. The exact formulation of Doloderm was not indicated but the preparation likely contained compounds (such as l-menthol with dl-camphor) able to enhance the skin penetration of methyl salicylate and to inhibit the rapid hydrolysis of methyl salicylate into salicylic acid. Methyl salicylate is a potent local analgesic but the compound may cause irritant or allergic contact dermatitis and, in rare cases, anaphylactic reactions in some patients. Methyl salicylate is considered a rubefacient compound: it reddens the skin and causes a localized feeling of warmth via cutaneous vasodilation (irritation). Doloderm itself is no longer available today but other topical formulations of methyl salicylate remain used.
