Tiaprofenic acid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Tiaprofenic acid is a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Two studies of its use in treating rheumatoid arthritis are reported here. In the first, tiaprofenic acid was compared with phenylbutazone in a double-blind cross-over study of 10 weeks' duration. Both drugs were significantly better than placebo and equal in efficacy with each other. The second study was a long-term open trial of tiaprofenic acid in 20 patients. The drug has been well tolerated over periods of up to three years and its effects in reducing the symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis have been maintained. Side-effects were very few in both studies. Gastro-intestinal symptoms were the most frequently reported. One patient developed melaena three years after starting the drug.