Methyl nicotinate (methyl pyridine-3-carboxylate) is the methyl ester of that is used as an active ingredient as a rubefacient in over-the-counter topical preparations indicated for muscle and joint pain. The action of methyl nicotinate as a rubefacient is thought to involve peripheral vasodilation.

the topical combination of comfrey root extract and methyl nicotinate has a clinically relevant, favourable impact on the outcomes of patients suffering from acute upper or low back pain. Patients treated with the combination had statistically significant and clinically relevant reductions in pain scores and increases in tenderness.

Patients were randomised and subsequently treated until Day 5 (fourth day after enrolment). One group of patients received a combination cream containing 35% of comfrey root extract (1:2, extractant 60 v/v%), and 1.2% methyl nicotinate (Kytta-Balsam? f, Merck Selbstmedikation GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany), the second group a cream containing 1.2% methyl nicotinate, and the third a placebo cream. Treatment was started after trial enrolment. Patients were seen for evaluation of treatment effects after 1 h and after 3 and 5 days (± 1 day)