Are topical NSAIDs as effective as oral NSAIDs for treatment of osteoarthritis pain in adults?

Abstract

Topical formulations of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) seem to be equally as effective as oral NSAIDs for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain. Topical NSAIDs have significantly lower risk for gastrointestinal adverse events with no increase in local adverse events (SOR: A, multiple meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials [RCTs]).