Table 3 Comparison of topical analgesics in chronic musculoskeletal pain
From: Topical NSAIDs for chronic musculoskeletal pain: systematic review and meta-analysis
| Â | Number of | Percent success with | Â | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Topical analgesic | Trials | Patients | Treatment | Placebo | NNT (95% CI) |
NSAID | 14 | 1502 | 48 | 26 | 4.6 (3.8 to 5.9) |
Salicylates | 6 | 429 | 54 | 36 | 5.3 (3.6 to 10) |
Capsaicin | 3 | 368 | 38 | 25 | 8.1 (4.6 to 34) |