A comparative study with indomethacin and combined indomethacin sodium-salicylate in rheumatoid arthritis

A double-blind cross-over clinical trial was performed to compare clinical effectiveness of indomethacin (3 x 25 mg/day) alone to that of a combination of indomethacin + sodium-salycylate (3 x 25 mg/day and 3 x 250 mg/day, respectively) in rheumatoid arthritis. It was established that enteral blood loss was significantly reduced by combined treatment as determined by Cr51 labelled erythrocytes in comparison to that after treatment with indomethacin alone. Therapeutic effect was maintained in both groups, no significant disparities were observed. Occurrence of subjective complaints was less frequent in the combined treatment group. It was concluded that the combined preparation consisting of indomethacin and sodium-salicylate has a favourable effect in rheumatoid arthritis.