title: Comparison of diflunisal and naproxen in the management of acute low back strain.
abstract: Fifty-six patients entered into an open-label, randomized study to compare the efficacy and tolerability of diflunisal and naproxen in the treatment of mild to moderate pain associated with acute low back strain. Thirty-three patients completed the two-week study. No patients withdrew because of side effects, and both drugs were well tolerated. Results showed that diflunisal was more effective than naproxen (81% versus 41%) in relieving pain. Of the 16 patients taking diflunisal, 13 rated its efficacy as very good or excellent; six (35%) of 17 patients taking naproxen rated their drug similarly. Overall, diflunisal rated slightly better in efficacy and tolerability and in improving limitation of function and motion. In addition, diflunisal has a longer duration of action and thus requires less frequent dosing than naproxen.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004061:Diflunisal / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D011897:Random Allocation; D012459:Salicylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D012459:Salicylates; D009288:Naproxen; D004061:Diflunisal