Diclofenac sodium versus acetylsalicylic acid: a randomized study in febrile patients

One hundred and twenty adult patients with high temperatures (greater than or equal to 38 degrees C) brought about by influenza viruses or other conditions were randomly treated with two different antipyretics: a) a 25 mg sodium diclofenac tablet (Novapirina) every 12 hours for 2 consecutive days; b) a 500 mg tablet of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) every 8 hours for 2 consecutive days. Antipyretic action (assessed at 6 hours following the first administration) was found to be equally rapid and consistent in both cases but significantly longer-lasting in the Novapirina-treated group than the Aspirin-treated group (p less than 0.01). Mean temperature changes over the 48 hours of observation and the over-all judgement on the antipyretic effect expressed at the end of each day of treatment were similar for both groups and good in all cases. The antiphlogistic-painkilling properties of both drugs were found to be effective in improving the symptomatology accompanying the high temperature during the course of the bout of influenza. The effectiveness/tolerability ratio was found to be satisfactory for both groups: only one case of gastric intolerance to Novapirina was recorded and five cases of gastric intolerance to Aspirin.