There’s the Rub: a narrative review of the benefits and complications associated with Vicks VapoRub use

TL;DR

This review summarizes the benefits and risks of Vicks VapoRub, highlighting its limited effectiveness and potential complications from misuse.

Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review of Vicks VapoRub's benefits and complications, emphasizing the need for safe usage and further research.

Findings

Evidence for Vicks VapoRub's effectiveness in treating URTI symptoms and onychomycosis is limited and inconclusive.

Misuse of Vicks VapoRub can lead to severe complications like pneumonia, ocular injury, and camphor toxicity.

The review highlights the importance of patient education to prevent misuse and associated health risks.

Abstract

Vicks VapoRub (VVR) is a globally popular over-the-counter remedy marketed for use as a topical antitussive and analgesic. This review seeks to provide health professionals and care providers with a thorough summary of the benefits and complications associated with VVR use reported in the medical literature, identify off-label consumer behaviors that might increase the risk of health complications, and encourage further research into over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

Three databases—PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase—aided in creating a pool of 220 studies. For inclusion, studies had to discuss the therapeutic application of VVR in humans or a complication arising from its use.

Thirty-seven articles were found to meet inclusion criteria. Nine synthesis groups were created: three groups concern the product’s efficacy in regard to upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptom treatment (n = 7), onychomycosis treatment (n = 2), and in the context of wound care (n = 2). Six groups collate case reports that describe VVR-related complications, including VVR-associated lipid pneumonia (n = 11), ocular injury (n = 5), camphor toxicity (n = 5), dermatological conditions (n = 3), psychosis (n = 1), and respiratory distress (n = 1). The evidence around the use of VVR for the treatment of URTI symptoms and onychomycosis is limited and inconclusive. Even more limited cross-sectional data concerns its use in wound care. Many of the complications described in our study (e.g., multi-organ failure, ocular evisceration, severe pneumonia) involve product misuse. This review was designed to help guide patients on the safe and appropriate use of VVR (e.g., advising patients to avoid heating, ingesting, or intranasal/intrabuccal/ocular application of the product). In general, the severity of complications associated with misuse of VVR highlights the importance of complementary and alternative medicine disclosure and discussion.

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