A Double Blind Cross over Study of Ibuprofen, Metiazinic Acid, Aspirin and a Placebo in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

In a double-blind cross-over study the analgesic and anti-inflammatory action of ibuprofen 1600 mg/day in cases of rheumatoid arthritis has been compared with aspirin 4 g/day, metiazinic acid 1 .5 g/day and a placebo, lactose. Each compound was administered in identical capsules and in a totally randomised order to all patients studied. Assessment of the articular index, grip strength, knee score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and subjective improvement was made before and after one week's treatment with each drug. In the doses used in this trial, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of metiazinic acid in rheumatoid arthritis, was found to be approximately equipotent to that of aspirin, while ibuprofen seemed to be slightly more potent and to cause fewer side-effects.