A REVIEW OF SELECTED NEWER NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS

Development of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with a go al of improved efficacy and lower toxicity has continued, resulting in the introduction of etodolac, ketorolac, nabumetone and oxaprozin on the market. Each of these agents appears to be as effective as other c ommonly used NSAIDs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoa rthritis. Studies of nabumetone and etodolac show a lower incidence of serious gastrointestinal toxicity with both drugs, but additional lar ge clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings. Although k etorolac, which cs now available in oral form, is an effective analges ic, its long-term use is limited by a high incidence of gastrointestin al toxicity. Oxaprozin is an effective, long-acting anti-inflammatory analgesic, but its comparative advantages remain undefined.