Diclofenac in rheumatoid disease.

The clinical activity and side effects of a new phenyl acetic-acid derivative, diclofenac, have been assessed in 24 patients with rheumatoid disease. Diclofenac 25 mg q.i.d. was compared with 750mg of aspirin BP q.i.d. using a double-blind crossover technique involving four weeks on each drug. Benefits were similar for the two preparations but with improvement in morning stiffness and incidence of dyspepsia favouring diclofenac, and a more marked reduction of the sedimentation rate occurring with aspirin. A moderate elevation of liver enzymes was seen in one patient on diclofenac, and of lactate dehydrogenase in one other. It is concluded that diclofenac is a therapeutically active analgesic anti-inflammatory agent.