ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy and safety of colchicine combined with etofenamate cream in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis. MethodsA total of 150 patients diagnosed with acute gouty arthritis from June 2013 to July 2014 were equally randomized to receive colchicine alone (group A), colchicine with etofenamate cream (group B) and colchicine with etoricoxib (group C). The assessment on joint pain, tenderness, health quality and clinical efficacy of patients in each group was carried out, and the results were compared before and 7 days after the treatment. ResultsBecause of adverse events, the number of patients who withdrew from group A, B and C was respectively 2, 3 and 7. So the actual number of patients completing the study was 48 for group A, 47 for group B and 43 for group C. The patients' and physicians' assessments of mean change in pain intensity from baseline over days 1-7 were comparable in each group, with no statistical significance between groups (P>0.05). The patients' assessment of response to treatment was the highest in the colchicine with etofenamate cream group, and the differences compared with other two groups were significant (P=0.012 and 0.025, respectively). The physicians' global assessment of response to treatment showed no statistical significance between groups (F=0.021, P=0.908). The joint tenderness was most improved in colchicine with etoricoxib group, and the differences compared with other two groups were significant (P=0.041 and 0.034, respectively). The assessments of health quality were similar between groups. The C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were decreased at study-end in all groups, but statistically significant differences were only found between group A and C (P<0.05). The incidence rate of adverse events was the highest in colchicine with etoricoxib group and the difference from other two groups was significant (P<0.05). ConclusionColchicine with etofenamate cream is as effective as colchicine with etoricoxib for treating acute gout and may have a better safety and tolerability profile.