CONTROLLED-STUDY OF ONCE-DAILY, SUSTAINED-RELEASE IBUPROFEN IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

This 4-week, double-blind, multinational study compared the efficacy a nd tolerability of a novel sustained-release formulation of ibuprofen, Brufen Retard(R) (two 800-mg tablets administered once daily) with co nventional-release ibuprofen (one 400-mg tablet administered four time s daily) in hospital outpatients with osteoarthritis of the knee. In t he 150 patients evaluated, both treatments were effective, producing r eductions in day and night pain, joint tenderness/stiffness, and parac etamol consumption, while increasing active and passive knee movement. At week 4, the differences between the treatments were small and not statistically significant. Both treatments were well tolerated and had similar adverse event profiles. Sustained-release ibuprofen provides effective treatment for osteoarthritis while offering the convenience of a once-daily treatment regimen.