Table 3 Comparison of oral and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for osteoarthritis
From: Developments in the clinical understanding of osteoarthritis
| Â | Oral | Topical |
|---|---|---|
Efficacy | More potent | Less potent |
Tolerability | Moderate-Poor | Moderate-Good |
Common side effects | Upper gastrointestinal symptoms and bleed, ulcer; worsening renal function | Skin irritation |