A double-blind comparison of phenylbutazone and suxibuzone, a prodrug of phenylbutazone, in rheumatoid arthritis.
One hundred and fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis received suxibuzone (426 mg/day, equivalent to 300 mg of phenylbutazone), a prodrug of phenylbutazone, or phenylbutazone (300 mg/day) in a six-week double-blind comparison study. After six weeks of treatment, morning stiffness, joint symptoms, and grip strength all improved almost equally in both groups. On the other hand, the frequency and severity of side-effects, particularly of gastro-intestinal (GI) disturbances, were markedly and significantly lower in the suxibuzone group. This study indicates that some prodrugs of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are useful because they have fewer side-effects.
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010653:Phenylbutazone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C003371:suxibuzone; D010653:Phenylbutazone