British scientists have developed a new Band-Aid-like patch that delivers ibuprofen without the risks and side effects posed by oral pills.

The patch — developed by researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK, led by research chemist Prof. David Haddleton — delivers a consistent dose to relieve pain, lessen swelling, and reduce fever, Medical News Today reports. It could revolutionize the treatment of arthritis and other chronic conditions, experts say.

The Food and Drug Administration recently strengthened the warning labels that accompany nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. New labels warn that such drugs increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, ulcers, bleeding or holes in the stomach or intestine.

Although commercial patches now on the market are designed to soothe pain, the new device is the first to deliver ibuprofen through the skin.

"Many commercial patches surprisingly don't contain any pain relief agents at all," said. Haddleton, "they simply soothe the body by a warming effect."

The researchers said the patch paves the way for other novel long-acting pain relief products that can be used to treat back pain, neuralgia, and arthritis without taking potentially damaging oral doses of the drug.