A double-blind placebo-controlled evaluation of fenflumizole in rheumatoid arthritis.

Twenty-eight patients with active classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis were randomly allocated to treatment with fenflumizole 200 mg or 100 mg or placebo daily in a 2-week double-blind placebo-controlled study. Three patients dropped out and 25 patients completed the study. Ten patients received fenflumizole 100 mg daily, 7 patients received fenflumizole 200 mg daily and 8 patients received placebo. Clinical and laboratory assessments before and during the study revealed that in patients treated with fenflumizole, grip strength, morning stiffness and walking time improved significantly. No improvement could be seen in the placebo group. No side effects attributable to fenflumizole were observed during the study.