Comparison 1. Rubefacient versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Clinical success (eg 50% reduction in pain)	10		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
1.1 Acute conditions	4	324	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.93 [1.51, 2.46]
1.2 Chronic conditions	6	455	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.58 [1.22, 2.04]
2 Adverse events	11		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
2.1 Any adverse event	11	984	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	1.56 [1.19, 2.04]
2.2 Local adverse events	10	869	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	2.15 [1.12, 4.12]
3 Withdrawals	7		Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	Subtotals only
3.1 Lack of efficacy	5	501	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	0.36 [0.15, 0.87]
3.2 Adverse events	7	737	Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI)	4.19 [1.52, 11.56]