[Therapeutic experiences with tenoxicam. Results of an observational study of 18,976 patients]

Within the framework of an observational study, 18,976 patients attending 2,086 centers were treated with tenoxicam. This drug was prescribed for rheumatic diseases, the most common diagnoses being activated arthrosis and degenerative disease of the spinal column. After an average period of treatment of 21 days, the following results were noted: 28.9% of the patients were symptom-free, 44.5% greatly improved, 18.1% somewhat improved, 7.6% noted no change, and 0.5% reported a deterioration. Tenoxicam was well tolerated by most patients (93.5%). A total of 1,725 side effects occurred in 1,241 patients (6.5%). The side effects affected three organ systems, the gastrointestinal tract (5.2%), the CNS (1%), the skin (0.6%) and "others" (0.6%; for the most part the side effects were mild. The rare severe side effects corresponded in nature and incidence to the spectrum known to be associated with NSAIDs. Overall, tolerance can be said to be good, with a spectrum of side effects already known from the clinical situation.