A comparison of a sustained release preparation of tiaprofenic acid with the conventional tablet formulation and a placebo in rheumatoid arthritis.

In a randomized double-blind, multicentre crossover study, the short-term efficacy and tolerance of tiaprofenic acid (TA) conventional tablet 300 mg twice daily was compared with a sustained release preparation of tiaprofenic acid 600 mg once daily and with a placebo in 146 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. After a minimum washout period of three days, patients were randomly allocated to receive each treatment for a period of two weeks each in a crossover fashion. Pain levels, duration of morning stiffness, onset of inactivity stiffness, articular index, and grip strength, were measured at the end of the washout period and at the end of each treatment period. Escape analgesic consumption, patient compliance, patient preference and overall assessment were measured at the end of each treatment period. Side-effects were noted and standard laboratory tests performed. Sustained release TA was shown to be as effective as the conventional tablet TA in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, producing significant improvements in efficacy parameters measured. Both preparations were as well tolerated as the placebo.