| Topical analgesic | Usual dose (adult) |
| Topical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)* | |
| Diclofenac topical gel (1%) | Knees: rub in 4 g of gel to affected knee(s) three to four times daily Hands: rub in 2 g of gel to affected joint(s) three to four times daily Maximum 16 g per joint per day; 32 g total per day |
| Diclofenac topical solution drops (1.5%) | Knees: rub in 40 drops to affected knee(s) up to four times daily |
| Diclofenac topical solution pump (2%) | Knees: rub in two pump actions to affected knee(s) up to two times daily |
| Ibuprofen topical gel (5, 10%); not available in the United States | Knees or hands: rub in dose (depends on joint size and location) up to four times daily; refer to product-specific information for detail |
| Ketoprofen topical gel (2.5%); not available in the United States | Knees or hands: rub in 2 to 4 g of gel two to four times daily (maximum 15 g of gel per day); refer to product-specific information for detail |
| Topical capsaicin¶ | |
| Capsaicin creams, gels, liquids, lotions (0.025 to 0.1%) | Rub in a small amount (pea-sized) one to four times daily; the preparation most often studied in osteoarthritis was 0.025% cream |
| Capsaicin topical patches (0.025 to 0.05%) | Apply one patch to affected area for up to eight hours (maximum four patches per day) |
