A comparison of two formulations of indomethacin ('Flexin Continus' tablets and 'Indocid' capsules) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
A multi-centre, double-blind, crossover study was carried out in 80 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to compare the efficacy and side-effect profiles of two formulations of indomethacin. Patients were allocated at random to receive 75 mg indomethacin per day either as 1 controlled-release tablet at night or as 1 immediate-release capsule given 3-times a day for a period of 4 weeks before being crossed over to receive the alternative treatment for a further 4 weeks. Pain scores, daily symptomatology and the requirement for escape analgesia recorded by both investigator and patient indicated that controlled-release indomethacin tablets, 75 mg given at night, was as efficacous as immediate-release indomethacin capsules given 3-times daily. However, the controlled-release formulation had a superior side-effect profile with a reduced incidence of abdominal/epigastric pain compared to the immediate-release preparation.
Bacon
P
P
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England.
Luqmani
R A
RA
Barry
C
C
Foley-Nolan
D
D
Grahame
R
R
West
J
J
Hazleman
B L
BL
Adebajo
A O
AO
Hughes
G R
GR
Abdullah
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013607:Tablets
D002214:Capsules; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013607:Tablets; D007213:Indomethacin