Effect of ibuprofen dosage on patient response in rheumatoid arthritis

In a 4-week double-blind trial in 41 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ibuprofen (Motrin) decreased the swollen joint count significantly at a dosage level of 2400 mg/day, but not at 1200 mg/day. Ibuprofen probably does have antiinflammatory effects in man, but only at higher dosages; antiarthritic activity at lower dosages reflects primarily analgesia and perhaps antipyretic effects. Complaints and clinical laboratory findings did not differ significantly between the dosage groups.