Fenbufen in patients with gastric intolerance

Forty-one patients with inflammatory or degenerative arthritis and a history of gastric disturbance on other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, or of peptic ulceration were treated with fenbufen 600-1200 mg dialy, and followed up for 3-17 months in an open study. Twelve patients withdrew because of lack of effect of the drug on the arthritic symptoms. Four patients withdrew because of non-gastrointestinal side effects. Three patients withdrew because of continuing dyspepsia. Twenty-two patients continued on fenbufen without dyspepsia or evidence of gastro-intestinal bleeding for 3-17 months (mean 8.3 months). These results suggest that fenbufen can be tolerated by patients with a history of gastro-intestinal disturbance on other NSAIDs, and that a larger controlled study would be warranted.