[Gitadyl versus ibuprofen in patients with osteoarthrosis. The result of a double-blind, randomized cross-over study]

Thirty-five patients suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthrosis were treated with Gitadyl (a herbal medicine containing 110 mg fever few, 90 mg American aspen, and 60 mg milfoil) or ibuprofen (Ibumetin) for three plus three weeks in a double-blind, cross-over trial. The dosages of Gitadyl and ibuprofen were three tablets per day and 1,200 mg, respectively. Both treatments gave the same reductions in subjective symptoms (pain and walking ability). Gastrointestinal side effects were more frequent in patients treated with ibuprofen. It is concluded that Gitadyl is an alternative form of treatment for patients who do not want a conventional drug or who experience gastrointestinal side effects of NSAID even in low dosage.