FLURBIPROFEN SUSTAINED-RELEASE 200 MG AND KETOPROFEN SUSTAINED-RELEASE 200 MG IN THE TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

A multicentre, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study in outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis compared the efficacy and safety of flurbiprofen 200 mg and ketoprofen 200 mg, both in sustained-release form. One hundred and sixteen patients aged 18 to 75 years were randomised to receive either one capsule of flurbiprofen sustained-release 200 mg (n=60) or one tablet of ketoprofen sustained-release 200 mg (n=56). Both drugs were taken once daily in the evening for 28 days. Patients were assessed at entry and after two and four weeks. Overall efficacy as evaluated on a four-point scale by the investigator and patient, and overall spontaneous pain as evaluated by the patient showed significant improvements in both treatment groups with a trend favouring greater benefit with flurbiprofen. Adverse events were recorded in 14 patients receiving flurbiprofen and 22 patients receiving ketoprofen. Neither the incidence nor the type of adverse events were significantly different in the two groups. Withdrawal rates for adverse events were very similar with both drugs. In conclusion, flurbiprofen sustained-release 200 mg is as effective as ketoprofen sustained-release 200 mg in the treatment of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and exhibits a comparable safety profile.