Abstract: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical capsaicin cream in treatment of arthralgia in comparison with diethyl ammonium emulsion, 46 patients with arthralgia were randomly divided to receive 0.025% capsaicin cream (n=23) or 1% diclofenac diethyl ammonium emulsion (n=23) for 1 week. The symptoms of arthralgia in both groups were significantly reduced and the degree of arthralgia on movement in both groups were diminished. In conclusion, capsaicin cream is effective, safe in the treatment of arthralgia.

Key words: arthralgia, capsaicin, diclofenac diethyl ammonium