A comparison of sulindac with ibuprofen in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Sulindac 200mg b.i.d. was compared with ibuprofen 400mg t.d.s. in a double-blind controlled trial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both drugs produced a measurable and significant improvement from baseline levels, in both objective and subjective parameters. All parameters favoured sulindac but the differences were not statistically significant. Side effects were infrequent with both drugs and in all but three cases did not necessitate withdrawal from the trials. Sulindac appears to be an effective anti-inflammatory analgesic drug for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with a low incidence of side effects.