Comprehensive Review of Topical Analgesics for Chronic Pain

This article reviews the various topical analgesics, their mechanisms of action, and their efficacy.Recent FindingsStudies have found topical NSAIDs are useful in treating acute musculoskeletal pain syndromes (strains and sprains) and show some efficacy in treating hand and knee osteoarthritis (Derry et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 5:CD008609,2017). Topical capsaicin 8% has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and HIV-neuropathy (Derry et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 1:CD007393,2017). Topical lidocaine has been widely studied and found to reduce pain in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (Knezevic et al. Pain Manag 7:537 –58,2017). Although many other topical analgesics are available, there is limited data to support the efficacy of other agents.SummaryTopical analgesics are a relatively benign treatment for chronic pain conditions including neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal, and myofascial pain. There is evidence to support the use of topical NSAIDs, high concentration topical capsaicin, and topical lidocaine for various painful conditions.
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - Category: Neurology Source Type: research