title: Topical agents in the treatment of rheumatic pain.
abstract: In rheumatic pain there is good evidence that topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are about as effective as oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but are probably safer and more tolerable because of much less systemic absorption and lower plasma concentrations. The best information is for topical diclofenac. For topical capsaicin, evidence of efficacy is trivial. For topical rubefacients there is no evidence of efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, The Churchill, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
authors.forename: R Andrew
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Sheena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Derry
authors.forename: Henry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: McQuay
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007509:Irritants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D018689:Sensory System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007509:Irritants; D018689:Sensory System Agents; D002211:Capsaicin