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Voltaren in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Abstract
A double-blind, crossover trial of a new non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug has been carried out in 79 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The preparation, GP 45'840 (Voltaren), was tested against placebo, paracetamol, and high dosage acetylsalicylic acid. It was superior to placebo and paracetamol at a statistically significant level (P<0,05). On both objective and subjective criteria its actions were similar to those of high dosage salicylate. Sideeffects, however, were markedly less than with either paracetamol or salicylate, which contributed to the fact that most of the patients who completed the trial preferred the new preparation. It was concluded that GP 45'840 has significant antiinflammatory and analgesic actions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is well tolerated and causes a minimum of side-effects.
S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 949 (1974).
S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 949 (1974).