Do over-the-counter medications relieve neuropathic foot pain?

Over-the-counter pain medicines can help with neuropathic foot pain, according to WebMD. There are a variety of medicines to choose from, such as topical creams that a person can apply directly to the source of pain or over-the-counter oral medicines such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen.

Many topical creams contain numbing agents to help ease pain, according to WebMD. They may also contain a pain reliever derived from chili peppers called capsaicin. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, may provide additional relief, states Mayo Clinic. However, patients should not take any over-the-counter medicines for longer than 10 days, states WebMD. If pain persists after the 10-day period, the patient should speak with her doctor.