[Kidney function in therapy with non-steroidal antiphlogistic drugs. A double-blind cross-over study with diclofenac,...

The effect of piroxicam (1 x 20 mg daily), diclofenac (2 x 50 mg daily) and indomethacin (3 x 25 mg daily) on renal function was compared in a double-blind cross-over study of 33 patients with various rheumatologic diseases. Individuals with preexisting renal impairment were excluded. In 16 patients piroxicam was compared with diclofenac. In another group of 17 patients piroxicam was compared with indomethacin. Each drug was given for 28 days. The mean inhibition of renal prostaglandin E2 by the three drugs was comparable. There was no significant alteration of the renal function parameters in any of the drugs. These results confirm that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs with short (diclofenac, indomethacin) but also with long half life (piroxicam) do not decrease renal function in individuals without renal impairment.