Axe Med Oil No.4

Axe Med Oil No.4 is a traditional medicated oil intended for external application on the skin only. It is made by Axe Brand, the well-known name from Leung Kai Fook Medical Company that has been produced since 1928 and is recognised in households across Malaysia, Singapore, and many other countries. The oil is a clear, lightly coloured liquid with a strong, cooling, minty and medicinal aroma, and it is supplied in a small bottle so that only a few drops need to be dispensed at a time.

Based on the labelled composition for the Axe Brand Medicated Oil line, the formulation combines menthol (16%), methyl salicylate (15%), and camphor (5%) with eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, and a mineral oil base. Menthol, camphor, and methyl salicylate belong to the group of counter-irritant ingredients used in topical medicated oils and liniments, and they are responsible for the distinctive sensation and scent that most people associate with this product. Because the ingredients are concentrated, the oil should always be used sparingly and never taken by mouth.

Within the Axe Brand range, the numbering from No.1 to No.5 simply refers to bottle capacity, where No.1 is 56ml, No.2 is 28ml, No.3 is 14ml, No.4 is 10ml, and No.5 is 5ml; this listing is the 10ml bottle (No.4). No.4 (10ml) is a slim, small-format bottle that slips easily into a pocket or a small pouch, and it is a popular choice for those who only need a modest quantity or want a spare bottle for the car or office. It is an over-the-counter product, so it can be bought without a prescription, but you should still read the label carefully, keep it out of reach of children, and speak to a pharmacist if you are unsure whether it suits you.

For external use only. Shake or tilt the bottle gently and dispense a few drops of the oil onto your clean fingertips or the palm of your hand, then rub it lightly into the intact skin of the area you are applying it to. Adults and children aged 3 years and above may apply several drops and rub them in, not more than 3 to 4 times daily. For children under 3 years of age, consult a doctor before use.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after every application, and take care not to touch your eyes, lips, or the inside of your nose before you have done so. Do not apply the oil to broken, wounded, sunburnt, or irritated skin, and do not cover the treated area with tight bandages or apply a heating pad, hot water bottle, or other heat source over it. Close the cap tightly after each use so the volatile ingredients do not evaporate.

Adults and children aged 3 years and above: apply several drops to the skin and rub gently, not more than 3 to 4 times in 24 hours. Children under 3 years of age: consult a doctor before using this product. There is no need to use more than the stated amount, as applying extra oil does not make it work faster and may increase the chance of skin irritation.

If you miss an application, simply apply it when needed, but do not double up or apply more often than the label allows. Stop using the oil and see a doctor or pharmacist if skin irritation, blistering, or a rash develops, or if the symptoms for which you are applying it persist beyond 7 days or clear up and return within a few days.

Use before the expiry date printed on the bottle and outer packaging. The expiry date applies to an unopened bottle stored correctly; once opened, keep the cap tightly closed and check the oil regularly. Discard the bottle if the smell, colour, or consistency changes noticeably.

Store at room temperature, approximately 15°C to 30°C, in a dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and open flame. Keep the container tightly closed after use, and keep it out of the sight and reach of children and pets.

Because the oil contains volatile and flammable ingredients, do not leave the bottle in a hot car or near a stove, candle, or heater. Do not transfer the oil into another container, as the original labelled bottle carries the directions and warnings.

• Common: Mild skin redness, warmth, or a burning or tingling sensation at the application site, which is the expected result of the counter-irritant ingredients but should not be painful.
• Common: Dry skin, itching, or mild irritation at the application site, particularly if the oil is applied too often or to sensitive skin.
• Common: Strong menthol and camphor scent, which some people find overpowering or find can trigger a headache or watery eyes.
• Serious: Allergic reaction such as a widespread rash, hives, facial swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, which needs urgent medical attention because it can become life-threatening.
• Serious: Blistering, chemical-burn-like skin damage, or severe pain at the site, particularly after heat has been applied over the oil or after use under a tight bandage; stop using immediately and seek medical care.
• Serious: Swallowing the oil or applying large amounts over wide areas can cause salicylate or camphor poisoning with vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, confusion, or seizures, and requires emergency treatment.

• Known hypersensitivity or allergy to menthol, camphor, methyl salicylate, salicylates such as aspirin, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, or any other ingredient in this product.
• Application to broken, cut, wounded, burnt, inflamed, or infected skin.
• Application to the eyes, inside the nose or mouth, genital area, or other mucous membranes.
• Use in children under 3 years of age unless advised by a doctor, because of the strong menthol and camphor content.
• Use in people with a history of asthma or breathing difficulty triggered by aspirin or other salicylates, unless cleared by a doctor.

• Methyl salicylate is absorbed through the skin in small amounts, and extensive or prolonged use can increase the effect of blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin, raising the risk of bruising and bleeding; consult a doctor or pharmacist before using this oil regularly if you take warfarin.
• Use with oral aspirin, other salicylate-containing medicines, or NSAIDs on the same area of skin should be discussed with a pharmacist, since combined salicylate exposure may increase the risk of side effects.
• Do not apply other medicated creams, gels, patches, or liniments to the same area at the same time without advice from a pharmacist, as combined use can increase skin irritation.
• Do not apply heat, such as a heating pad or hot compress, over the oil, as this can increase absorption and cause burns.
• No food interactions are known for this product when used on the skin as directed, and it must not be swallowed.

• Start with just a few drops; you can always apply again later, but you cannot take back too much oil once it is on the skin.
• Test on a small patch of skin first if you have never used a menthol or camphor oil before, and wait a short while to check for redness or itching.
• Wash your hands after every application, and keep your fingers away from your eyes, mouth, and nose until you have done so.
• Avoid tight bandages, heat packs, and hot showers immediately over the area where you have applied the oil.
• Keep the cap on tightly and store the bottle upright to avoid leaks, especially if you carry it in a bag.
• Keep the 10ml bottle out of the reach of children, as accidental swallowing of medicated oil is dangerous and needs immediate medical help.

Precautions: This product is for external use only and must never be swallowed. Take extra care in pregnant or breastfeeding women, elderly people, people with sensitive skin, and people with asthma, and speak to a doctor or pharmacist before using Axe Med Oil No.4 in these situations. Do not use it on children under 3 years of age without medical advice, avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes, and do not apply it to damaged skin. Because the oil is flammable, keep it away from flames and do not use it near open fire or while smoking. If you are taking blood-thinning medicines, speak to your pharmacist before regular use.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Stop using the oil and seek advice if you develop a rash, blistering, persistent redness, or severe skin irritation, or if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing. Seek medical attention promptly if the oil is swallowed, gets into the eyes and irritation persists after rinsing with plenty of water, or if the symptoms you are applying it for last longer than 7 days, worsen, or keep returning. Bring the bottle or packaging with you when you seek help.