Multicentre clinical study with flunoxaprofen in osteoarthritis: preliminary data on 154 patients

Flunoxaprofen S-(+)-2 [p-fluorophenyl]-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazole acetic acid, a new propionic acid derivative, was studied to investigate its long-term effectiveness and tolerability in the management of osteoarthritis (OA). To the study were admitted 154 patients suffering from radiologically proven OA of the large joints; 37% of them were hospitalized. The patients received flunoxaprofen 100 mg twice daily for a period of 45-60 days. The variables investigated were: pain at rest, pain on passive motion and pain on active motion with or without load, quality of sleep, articular flexion. In addition, the usual clinical and laboratory controls were carried out (arterial blood pressure, hepatic and renal function tests, haematological examinations). The assessments were made before and at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of treatment. The results obtained show significant improvements for all variables considered and a very good tolerability of the drug concerning either laboratory controls or adverse reactions.