[Experience with a locally applicable antirheumatic (author's transl)].

Clinical trials with 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethyl-N-(a,a,a-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-anthranilate (etofenamate, active principle of Rheumon Gel) were carried out on a total of 69 patients suffering from extra-articular rheumatic complaints and painful spinal syndromes as well as from post-operative and post-accident complaints. Criteria for assessment included spontaneous pain, pressure pain and pain on movement and also limitation in joint mobility. The new gel formulation proved to have a good analgesic efficacy both in a double blind trial against placebo gel and the open study. Those patients treated with Rheumon Gel showed improvement in the symptoms spontaneous pain and pain on movement, in a large number of which patients showing improvement, in a large number of which patients showing improvement the spontaneous pain was completely eliminated. The differences in therapeutic effect compared to the placebo group as well as those of the final clinical assessment were statistically significant. Particularly good therapeutic results were observed in extra-articular rheumatic complaints and in activated arthroses. The skin tolerance of Rheumon Gel was found to be excellent. The gel form permits good and rapid penetration through the skin. The nursing staff also willingly administered the product because of its pleasant protective properties for skin and clothing.