[Therapy of degenerative rheumatic diseases. Need for additional analgesic medication with Phytodolor N].

In 40 inpatients with painful degenerative diseases, the additional requirement for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDs) to obtain results identical with a given daily dose of either 3 x 30 drops of Phytodolor N or placebo administered over 3 weeks was investigated. Under Phytodolor N, a total of 100 mg of diclofenac and 1 tablet (500 mg) of paracetamol were additionally administered in 18 patients; under placebo, 2,400 mg of diclofenac and 3 tablets of paracetamol. In terms of days, additional medication was required on 3 days in the Phytodolor group, and on 47 days in the placebo group. Under Phytodolor N, the improvements obtained were identical to those in the group receiving in part considerably higher doses of NSAIDs and placebo. Clinical improvements are marked and major improvements (p less than 0.05) occur after only 1 week, with improvement being progressive. No side effects were observed.