[New aspects on the clinical use of benzydamine].

Recent results of research show that benzydamine (Tantum) has a different biochemical and pharmacological therapeutic mechanism in comparison with other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID). The inhibition of the generation of reactive oxygen species, the membrane-stabilising effect and the reduction of vascular permeability causes the anti-edematous and antiinflammatory effects. Contrary to the indications and contra-indications of NSAID, benzydamine can be used in the following diseases: inflammatory and edematous diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, of the kidney and genitourinary tract, of the stoma and oropharynx and of the respiratory tract, after soft-tissue injuries and surgical interventions. It is not necessary to exclude patients with acetylsalicylic acid-induced asthma from the therapy with benzydamine.