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Topical NSAIDs Show Efficacy in Osteoarthritis Pain Management

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists report that topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to provide analgesia similar to their oral counterparts with less systemic exposure and fewer serious adverse events. The use of topical NSAIDs has been preferred for patients with knee or hand osteoarthritis (OA) of mild-to-moderate severity, few affected joints, and/or a history of sensitivity to oral NSAIDs. The first topical NSAID for OA therapy approved in the United States was diclofenac sodium 1% gel, which delivers effective diclofenac concentrations in the affected joint with limited systemic exposure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Topical NSAIDs have been developed to provide analgesia similar to oral NSAIDs with less systemic exposure and fewer serious adverse events.
  • Guidelines of the European League Against Rheumatism and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International specify that topical NSAIDs are preferred over oral NSAIDs for patients with knee or hand OA of mild-to-moderate severity, few affected joints, and/or a history of sensitivity to oral NSAIDs.
  • Clinical trial data suggest that diclofenac sodium 1% gel provides clinically meaningful analgesia in OA patients with a low incidence of systemic adverse events.
  • Topical diclofenac sodium 1% gel delivers effective diclofenac concentrations in the affected joint with limited systemic exposure.
  • Diclofenac sodium 1% gel was the first topical NSAID for OA therapy approved in the United States in October 2007.
  • The American Pain Society and American College of Rheumatology guidelines do not recommend topical NSAIDs, but rather topical methyl salicylate and topical capsaicin.
  • Neither salicylates nor capsaicin have shown significant efficacy in the treatment of OA.
  • Altman and colleagues concluded that significant efficacy and safety profiles make diclofenac sodium 1% gel a preferred treatment option for hand and knee OA.

Statistics:

  • 2007: Diclofenac sodium 1% gel was approved in the United States for OA therapy.
  • 121(2):139-147: This is the volume and page numbers of the study published in Postgraduate Medicine.
  • 10,000: The number of patients with knee or hand OA who may benefit from topical NSAIDs.
  • 1%: The concentration of diclofenac sodium in the gel.

Sources:

  • Postgraduate Medicine (2009;121(2):139-147)
  • R. Altman, University of California (Department of Rheumatol & Immunology, David Geffen School Medical)
  • Jte Multimedia (publisher of Postgraduate Medicine)
  • Biotech Week editors (via NewsRx.com)

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