[Rofecoxib: its efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and acute pain].

Cyclooxygenase-II (cox-II) selective inhibitors and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are indicated for pain and stiffness in inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis. Rofecoxib have been shown to be associated with a reduced incidence of gastric erosions on endoscopy compared to standard NSAIDs in patients with arthritis. Many studies in acute pain management have been performed with rofecoxib. The dental pain model is a typical study design of severe acute pain. Onset of pain relief occurred within 45 minutes in single-dose studies of rofecoxib 50 mg in postoperative dental pain. Rofecoxib consistently demonstrated analgesic efficacy in a variety of moderate to severe pain models.