Meloxicam as Effective, Safer Than Diclofenac for Osteoarthritis

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Meloxicam as Effective, Safer Than Diclofenac for Osteoarthritis

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WESTPORT, CT (Reuters Health) Nov 1 - Meloxicam at 7.5 to 15 mg/d is as

effective as diclofenac 50 mg b. i. d. for reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis

flares, but with less incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events,

according to results of multicenter study.

Meloxicam is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor that exhibits more COX-2

inhibition than COX-1 inhibition. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.

received US Food and Drug Administration approval to market meloxicam to treat

osteoarthritis in April of this year.

Dr. Yocum, of the University of Arizona, in Tucson, and associates

randomized 774 patients to receive diclofenac, placebo, or meloxicam at 3.75,

7.5, or 15 mg/d. They report their findings in the October 23rd issue of the

Archives of Internal Medicine.

GI adverse event rates were 18% of patients in the high-dose meloxicam group,

21% for placebo and the two lower dose meloxicam groups, and 30% for diclofenac.

Overall, the incidence of adverse effects for meloxicam was approximately midway

between the 47.8% in the placebo group and the 66.0% in the diclofenac group.

Patients receiving 7.5 or 15 mg/d meloxicam or diclofenac withdrew for lack of

efficacy at significantly lower rates than those receiving placebo or the lowest

dose of meloxicam. For all endpoints, including WOMAC index scores and patient

and physician global assessment, meloxicam at 7.5 and 15 mg/d was significantly

more effective than placebo.

Arch Intern Med 2000;160:2947-2954.

http://rheumatology.medscape.com/reuters/prof/2000/11/11.01/20001031drgd002.html