[A non-steroidal antirheumatic agent (nabumetone): effectiveness and tolerance in short and long-term use]

Nabumetone, a new nonsteroidal antirheumatic drug (NSAD), is chemically a (6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) butan-2-on. This drug was investigated with regard to its effectiveness and tolerability in an open multicenter study of 3 weeks duration, involving 40 patients with osteo-arthrosis and 45 with rheumatoid arthritis. 11 patients with arthrosis of the hip and 8 suffering from rheumatoid arthritis were continuously treated 6-12 months. The evaluation showed a good result in 85% of the patients with osteo-arthrosis and in 80% of the rheumatoid patients therapy of 3 weeks. Side effects were comparable with those of other NSADs. The changes in laboratory findings were not clinically significant. During long-term therapy both good tolerability and persisting efficacy were evidenced.