Compounded creams no better than placebo creams for localised chronic pain

Abstract

Commentary on: Brutcher RE, Kurihara C, Bicket MC, et al . Compounded topical pain creams to treat localized chronic pain: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 170:309–18. doi: 10.7326/M18-2736. The use of compounded topical creams for localised chronic pain has increased dramatically. The participants in this study, military personnel, are one of the populations who might benefit from this treatment as opioid therapy may have a negative effect on their judgement and motor skills. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spent >500 million dollars on compounded …