Home › NDC Lookup › Ingredients › Arthritis Pain Relief › 69842-0301-60
CVS Arthritis Pain Relief .025 g/100g Cream — NDC 69842-0301-60 package photo

CVS Arthritis Pain Relief .025 g/100g Cream

by CVS Health · 1 JAR in 1 CARTON (69842-301-60) / 113 g in 1 JAR
NDC 69842-0301-60
🏷️ FDA NDC (as labeled) 69842-301-60 billing pads the product segment with a zero
OTC On market Non-controlled
🗂️ Data synced Jul 24, 2026 · sources: openFDA · FDA label (DailyMed) · FDA Orange & Purple Book · First Databank · CMS NADAC, ASP, Medicare & Medicaid · RxNorm
📋 All sources & update times →

This page is curated, coded, and maintained by

Compiled from public FDA, CMS, DailyMed, NADAC, and related drug data sources. Editorial policy

🆔 Identity & classification

FDA NDC (as labeled) 69842-301-60
Product NDC 69842-301
11-digit billing NDC 69842030160
RxCUI 1091387
UNII 3POA0Q644U
Application # M017
SPL Set ID 575dd514-fd99-4e44-8fc8-52938f9abc26
DEA schedule Non-controlled
Marketing category OTC MONOGRAPH DRUG
Marketing status On market
FDA listing status Listed (active directory)
Marketing start 2016-05-30
Route TOPICAL
Dosage form CREAM
Substance HISTAMINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE
Why two NDCs? The FDA registers this code as 69842-301-60 — a 5-3-2 layout, and that's what's printed on the package and shown on DailyMed. For insurance claims, every NDC is standardized to a uniform 11-digit 5-4-2 format by adding a zero to the product segment → 69842-0301-60. Same drug, same package — only the format differs.
Where does this data come from?
Identifiers from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Structured Product Labeling; RxCUI from RxNorm (NLM); GPI from Medi-Span; GCN / HIC / AHFS / legend from First Databank.

🏷️ RxNorm drug class

This medicine belongs to the Other immunostimulants class.

Drug family (ATC) Other immunostimulants, Tests for gastric secretion
Where does this data come from?
Therapeutic classes from RxNorm RxClass (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — Established Pharmacologic Class (FDA), ATC drug family (WHO) and mechanism of action, matched by this product’s RxCUI.

🏭 Manufacturer & labeler

LabelerCVS Health
FDA applicationM017 (OTC MONOGRAPH DRUG)
Labeler code69842
First marketedMay 2016
Product typeHuman Otc Drug
Portfolio50 products on file
The labeler markets the product; the application holder owns the FDA approval. They’re often the same company but can differ (e.g. a repackager or an authorized generic). A mailing address / phone appears here when the manufacturer includes it in the product’s FDA label (not all do).
Where does this data come from?
Labeler, application holder and registered establishment from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory and Drugs@FDA; address/contact from the product’s FDA label.

🩺 Clinical

🧪 What is this product?

CVS Arthritis Pain Relief is a topical cream containing histamine dihydrochloride, marketed as an over-the-counter monograph product. Histamine dihydrochloride is typically used in topical pain-relief products and is believed to work by stimulating local blood flow and nerve endings in the skin. This cream is applied directly to the skin over affected joints or muscles and is commonly used as a counterirritant for temporary relief of minor arthritis pain and stiffness.

Supplement & herbal interactions

🌿 Drug–supplement interaction checker →
Where does this data come from?
Plain-language summary from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine); supplement & herbal interactions and nutrient depletion data from the Natural Medicines database; our full guide is HelloPharmacist editorial content.

🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients

Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.

💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.

  • UNII 9E8X80D2L0
    A synthetic form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and preservative in medications. It helps prevent the active ingredients from degrading when exposed to oxygen or light.
  • UNII 3XUS85K0RA
    Butylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or plants that acts as a humectant, solvent, and preservative booster in medicines. It helps keep formulations stable, dissolve active ingredients, and maintain moisture in topical products.
  • UNII E4F12ROE70
    A refined mineral oil derived from crude petroleum containing 13 to 14 carbon chains. It acts as a solvent, emollient, and carrier in topical formulations to help dissolve active ingredients and improve product texture and spreadability.
  • UNII 2ZAJ1K50XH
    A naturally derived compound extracted from shark cartilage, used as a binder and thickening agent in tablet and capsule formulations to help hold ingredients together and control product texture.
  • UNII 9H4PO4Z4FT
    A sulfur-containing organic compound used as a solvent and penetration enhancer in medicines. It helps dissolve active ingredients and improve their absorption through skin or mucous membranes.
  • UNII MP1J8420LU
    A salt derived from edetic acid that binds to trace metals in medicines. It serves as a chelating agent and preservative to prevent metal-catalyzed breakdown of the drug and extend shelf life.
  • UNII 344821WD61
    Emu oil is a natural fat derived from emu birds, used in some medicines as an emollient and penetration enhancer to help active ingredients absorb through the skin and soften the formulation.
  • UNII EG3PA2K3K5
    Ethylhexyl stearate is a waxy oil made from stearic acid and ethylhexyl alcohol. In medicines, it acts as an emollient and thickener to improve texture and help the product spread smoothly on skin or dissolve properly.
  • UNII 750W5330FY
    Glucosamine hydrochloride is an amino sugar derived from shellfish or produced synthetically. In medicines, it serves as an active nutritional ingredient rather than a typical inactive excipient, used to support joint and cartilage function.
  • UNII BKJ0J3D1BP
    A plant-derived ingredient from sunflower flowers, used as a natural colorant and flavoring agent in medicines. It may help provide color or mild taste to the product.
  • UNII Z95S6G8201
    A synthetic surfactant derived from lauryl alcohol and ethylene oxide. It helps dissolve and mix oily and watery ingredients in liquid formulations, and may improve how the medicine spreads or is absorbed.
  • UNII 229D0E1QFA
    Methylisothiazolinone is a synthetic chemical preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in liquid medicines and topical products. It helps keep the medication safe and extends shelf life during storage.
  • UNII 5D6TC4BRWV
    Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer used as a thickener and stabilizer in medicines. It helps maintain consistent texture and prevents separation of ingredients in liquid or semi-solid formulations.
  • UNII 1VPU26JZZ4
    Potassium sorbate is a salt derived from sorbic acid, a naturally occurring preservative. It prevents growth of mold, yeast, and some bacteria, extending the medicine's shelf life.
  • UNII 285CYO341L
    Sodium polyacrylate is a synthetic polymer that absorbs and holds water. In medicines, it acts as a disintegrant, helping tablets break apart quickly in the stomach, and as a binder, holding tablet ingredients together.
  • UNII 3T5PCR2H0C
    A synthetic detergent and emulsifier made from plant-derived materials. It helps mix oil and water components together and improves how the medicine spreads or absorbs in the body.
  • UNII 059QF0KO0R
    Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.

17 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.

The official label also statesDeoinized Water, Emu Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, C13-C14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Methylsulfonylmethane, Hellanthus Annuus(Sunflower)Oil, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glucosamine HCL, Chondroitin Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Methylisothiazolinone

Label-section wording can be broader than the structured product block and may mention additional formulation ingredients.

Where does this data come from?
Data sourced from official FDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL) via DailyMed — ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.

Inactive ingredient FAQ

Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
No. Inactive ingredients can differ by manufacturer, dosage form, strength, and package / product version.
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Some SPLs do not provide a complete structured inactive-ingredient list, and older or unusual labels may only include the information in narrative text.
Can inactive ingredients matter?
Yes. They can matter for allergies, intolerances, dyes, gluten / lactose concerns, preservatives, and formulation differences — but confirm with a pharmacist or the manufacturer when it’s clinically important.

💲 Pricing

A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.

Price systemPer gPer package
Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs.
Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data.
Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data.
ℹ️
No price is published for this exact package yet. CMS surveys NADAC per package size, so a different pack of the same drug often has one.
Where does this data come from?
NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) is the CMS weekly pharmacy-acquisition-cost survey — what pharmacies pay. ASP (Average Sales Price) is the CMS Medicare Part B drug-payment file, published quarterly. Medicaid pays is computed by us from CMS State Drug Utilization Data (total reimbursed ÷ units, trailing 12 months) — gross of rebates and inclusive of dispensing fees, so it reflects what Medicaid paid, not an acquisition cost. Medicare drug plans pay is the median negotiated point-of-sale unit cost across plans listing this NDC in the CMS quarterly Prescription Drug Plan pricing files, before rebates. The VA pays is the federal contract price (FSS, and the statutory Big 4 ceiling where listed) from the VA National Acquisition Center pharmaceutical price file. All are free public government data; each measures a different payer, so the figures are not directly comparable.

🔁 Therapeutic equivalents

ProductLabelerPackNADAC/unitTEStatusPrice vs. this
Walgreens Arthritis Pain Relief Cream .00025 g/g 00363-5301-40 Walgreens 113 g — — FDA listed —
Arthritis Pain Relief Cream .00025 g/g 61577-8120-02 Sombra 59 g — — Discontinued —
CVS Arthritis Pain Relief .025 g/100gthis 69842-0301-60 CVS 1 jar — — FDA listed —
AMINO ACTIVE Topical Analgesic Cream .25 mg/mL 82908-0357-00 VIREO 81.33 ml — — FDA listed —
About this product: other versions of the same ingredient, strength and form are listed above, least expensive first, with FDA equivalence ratings where available.
Where does this data come from?
Equivalents are other NDCs of the same ingredient, form and route from the openFDA NDC Directory, ranked least-expensive-first by NADAC. Therapeutic-equivalence (AB) ratings come from the FDA Orange Book; biologics use the FDA Purple Book for biosimilar & interchangeable status.

⏳ Availability & generic status

🏛️
2016
On the market since
May 2016
📍
2026
Currently FDA-listed
10 years listed
🔒
·
No generic listed yet
brand only
ℹ️No FDA-approved generic found

We did not find an FDA-approved generic match for this exact strength, form and route.

Where does this data come from?
Patents and exclusivity from the FDA Orange Book (small-molecule drugs), refreshed from public FDA data. Generic launch timing is an estimate, not a guarantee.

📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product

Package NDCDescription Marketing startStatus
69842-0301-60 You're viewing this 1 JAR in 1 CARTON (69842-301-60) / 113 g in 1 JAR 2016-05-30 Active

🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage

Over-the-counter (OTC) product
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) ✓ Available
Labeler ✓ Available
Product & package description ✓ Available
Marketing category & status ✓ Available
Active ingredient / dosage form / route ✓ Available
FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) ✓ Available
Package photos ✓ Available
Inactive ingredients (structured) ✓ Available
NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey.
Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data — Not published for this NDC Applies only to products approved under an NDA/ANDA; many listings are out of scope.
HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal.
Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold.
“Not published” reflects what the public FDA / CMS / NLM sources provide for this exact package code — it is a property of the data feeds, not a judgment about the product.

Questions about this listing

Is this NDC FDA-approved?
An NDC listing does not by itself establish FDA approval — the NDC Directory records that a product is listed with FDA, not that it was reviewed and approved. This listing's marketing category is "Otc Monograph Drug". Products approved under an application carry an NDA, ANDA, or BLA number.
Why is there no price listed?
The pricing shown on our NDC pages comes from CMS NADAC, a voluntary survey of retail community pharmacy invoices. CMS does not publish a NADAC for every NDC — packages outside the retail survey (institutional and hospital products, bulk packages, discontinued items, and many OTC items) may never receive one. A missing price reflects the survey's scope, not this product's actual cost, and does not mean the product is free or unavailable.
Is the NDC printed on the package the same as the 11-digit billing NDC?
Yes, they identify this exact package in different formats. The FDA registers it as 69842-301-60, which is what is printed on the packaging and shown on DailyMed. Insurance claims use a fixed 11-digit 5-4-2 format, so the short segment is padded with a leading zero: 69842-0301-60, written without dashes as 69842030160. The Identity section at the top of this page lists every form of this code.
What do the three segments of this NDC mean?
In 69842-0301-60, the first segment (69842) is the labeler code FDA assigned to CVS Health; the middle segment (0301) identifies this specific product — its ingredient, strength, and dosage form; and the last segment (60) identifies this exact package size and type. Together they name one specific package of one specific product.
Is this package still being marketed?
Yes, per the latest FDA NDC Directory data on this page: this package is listed as actively marketed, with no marketing end date reported by CVS Health. Listing status can change — the directory data on this page refreshes weekly.
Who lists this product with the FDA?
CVS Health is the labeler of record for this NDC — the company under whose FDA-assigned code the package is listed. The labeler may be the manufacturer itself or a distributor marketing the product under its own code.
Do I need a prescription for this product?
This NDC is listed with FDA as an over-the-counter product, so it does not require a prescription. Follow the package directions, and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure whether it is right for you.
This page identifies an FDA-listed package (the NDC) and reports public regulatory and pricing data about the listing. It is reference information, not a medical recommendation — talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your own medication.
Where does this data come from?
Listing facts (marketing category, packager status, marketing dates) from the FDA openFDA NDC Directory; label availability from DailyMed; pricing coverage from CMS NADAC; equivalence scope from the FDA Orange Book.

📄 FDA label — Drug Facts FDA SPL

The complete FDA label for this product — the official Drug Facts labeling, verbatim, section by section. Jump with a chip, search within the label, or expand everything.
🎯 Indications and Usage ⏱️ Dosage and Administration ⚠️ Warnings 📦 Storage and Handling 🧪 Active Ingredient 🧪 Inactive Ingredients 🎯 Purpose
🎯 Indications and Usage 21 words ▾

Use For temporary relief of minor aches and pains of muscles and joints assited with arthritis, simple backache, strains & bruises.

⏱️ Dosage and Administration 44 words ▾

Directions For use by adults and Children over 12 years of age. apply a thin layer tp the pain site and massage until thoroughly absorbed into skin. Apply no more than 3 to 4 times daily. Children 12 years or younger consult a physician.

⚠️ Warnings 23 words ▾

Warnings For external use only. Do not use on wounds or damaged skin or if you are allergic to ingredients in the product.

📦 Storage and Handling 29 words ▾

Other information Store between 68° and 77° F ( 20° and 25° C) Tamper evident feature:do not use if outer shrink wrap on jar is torn, broken or missing.

🧪 Active Ingredient 5 words ▾

Active Ingredient Histamine Dihydrochloride .025%

🧪 Inactive Ingredients 33 words ▾

Inactive Ingredients Deoinized Water, Emu Oil, Butylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Polyacrylate, C13-C14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Methylsulfonylmethane, Hellanthus Annuus( Sunflower )Oil, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Glucosamine HCL, Chondroitin Sulfate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trideceth-6, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Methylisothiazolinone

🎯 Purpose 3 words ▾

Purpose Topical Analgesic

Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling, mirrored from DailyMed / openFDA. Prefer the government’s original formatting? View this label on DailyMed ↗
← 69842-0298-05 · CVS 69842-0309-25 · CVS →
For educational and professional reference only — not medical advice. Pricing reflects published NADAC and CMS ASP (free public data) and may differ from your acquisition cost; always verify before billing or dispensing.