title: Efficacy and safety of diclofenac sodium in rheumatoid arthritis. Experience in the United States.
abstract: Diclofenac sodium is a nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drug that has been studied in the United States for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in 681 patients, 468 of whom were enrolled in five multicenter, double-blind parallel controlled investigations. Results of these trials indicate that 150 mg daily of diclofenac is more effective than placebo and as effective as 2.4 g daily of ibuprofen or 3.6 g daily of aspirin. Moreover, the safety profile of diclofenac proved to be better than that of aspirin and similar to that of ibuprofen.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004008:Diclofenac; D001241:Aspirin; D007052:Ibuprofen