Specially Compounded Pain Creams Are Expensive and Ineffective

Topical creams containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, capsaicin, or lidocaine are used commonly for chronic pain, although evidence of benefit is modest at best. Researchers assessed the efficacy of specially compounded creams among 399 adults receiving care at a military pain clinic; with one third of participants falling into each of three pain groups (nociceptive, neuropathic, and mixed). Participants within each pain type were randomized to receive a specially formulated compounded cream or placebo that was applied thrice daily. The active creams contained various concentrations and combinations of analgesics thought to be effective for the specific type of pain, including ketamine, gabapentin, clonidine, lidocaine, baclofen, …