Mefenamic acid: an under-rated antirheumatic?

A double-blind crossover study was carried out in 18 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis to assess the effectiveness of mefenamic acid (500 mg t.d.s.) compared with placebo or indomethacin (25 mg q.d.s.). Each treatment was given for 1 week and subjective and objective assessments were carried out at the end of each period. Results showed that both mefenamic acid and indomethacin were significantly better than placebo in most parameters. Although duration of morning stiffness and patient preference favoured indomethacin it was considered that there was no demonstrable difference of any clinical significance between the two active medications.