Disclosed herein are topical formulations comprising about 0.001 to about 3 wt% detomidine or a salt thereof； and, a carrier that is suitable for topical administration to a subject's skin, wherein the carrier optionally comprises a water-miscible solubilizer that is present in an amount of up to 40% by weight of the formulation； wherein the formulation has a pH of 4.5 to 9, and, wherein the formulation provides prolonged, substantially non-systemic treatment for pain. Also provided are methods for providing prolonged, non-systemic treatment for pain in a subject in need thereof comprising topically administering to the subject the presently disclosed topical formulations.
