A double-blind comparison of mefenamic acid and piroxicam in acute soft tissue injuries.

Thirty patients suffering from strains, sprains or direct soft tissue injuries were entered into a double-blind trial comparing mefenamic acid and piroxicam. Mefenamic acid was given at a dosage of 500 mg 3-times daily and piroxicam as a single daily dose of 20 mg, for a maximum of 10 days. Both drugs were effective in treating the symptoms associated with acute soft tissue injuries. There were statistically significant improvements in all parameters monitored (pain, functional capacity, sleep disturbance, local swelling and tenderness) by Day 2, except for local swelling in the mefenamic acid group and sleep disturbance in the piroxicam group. By Day 5 all parameters showed improvement. Almost all (90%) of the patients had recovered from their injury in less than 1 week. Both drugs were well tolerated, only 5 patients reporting adverse events (3 on mefenamic acid and 2 on piroxicam).