Efficacy and gastrointestinal tolerability of beta-cyclodextrin-piroxicam and tenoxicam in the treatment of chronic osteoarthritis.

Thirty patients aged 26 to 70 years with a history of chronic osteoarthritis of at least eight years were randomly assigned to receive 20 mg daily of beta-cyclodextrin-piroxicam (beta-CDP) or tenoxicam for eight weeks. Both drugs effectively reduced pain, inflammation, and functional limitations of the affected joints. Endoscopy revealed minor posttreatment hemorrhagic lesions and erosions; these tended to be less severe in the group treated with beta-CDP than with tenoxicam. Slight to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms were reported by one patient treated with beta-CDP and three patients treated with tenoxicam; the symptoms were poorly correlated with endoscopic findings. It is concluded that both drugs are safe and effective in the control of symptoms in patients with chronic osteoarthritis.