Choosing nonopioid analgesics for osteoarthritis: clinician summary guide.

This brief guide was published by the federal Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (AHRQ) to summarize evidence on safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for osteoarthritis. This report is the March 2009 Revision. The comparative level of confidence in each drug based on a systematic review is presented. Acetaminophen, the full range of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical capsaicin, topical analgesic balms, and glucosamine and chondroitin are discussed. Gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks, relative contraindications, and costs are described. This Clinician Summary Guide is complemented by a Consumer Summary Guide published by the AHRQ in 2007. That guide also appears in this issue of the Journal.