Amtolmetin guacyl versus piroxicam in patients with osteoarthritis

The efficacy and tolerability of amtolmetin guacyl (AMG), a new non-steroid al anti-inflammatory drug, were compared with piroxicam, in patients with o steoarthritis, In a randomized double-blind study patients with arthritis ( n = 99) received either 600 mg AMG on an empty stomach or 20 me, of piroxic am on a full stomach, once daily for 30 days. All clinical parameters impro ved significantly with both drugs; there were no significant differences be tween the two treatments. Tolerability, assessed by the patients, was signi ficantly better in the AMG group. In the piroxicam group nine of 50 patient s withdrew because of side-effects (gastrointestinal) compared with two of 49 (nausea and headache) in the AMG group. There were three cases of perfor ation, ulcer and bleeding in the piroxicam group but no serious side-effect s with AMG. Total numbers of side-effects were similar in the two groups, b ut epigastric and abdominal pain were more frequent and more intense with p iroxicam. AMG was as effective as piroxicam in controlling the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but showed better gastrointestinal tolerability.