Evaluation of a new pharmaceutical form of nimesulide for the treatment of influenza.

In 39 outpatients suffering from a seasonal epidemic influenza, the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of nimesulide granules was compared with that of aspirin + vitamin C granules. The drugs were administered b.i.d., dispensed in one-dose sachets containing either 100 mg of nimesulide or 500 mg aspirin + 300 mg vitamin C. The efficacy of the two treatments was comparable: both drugs brought about a rapid complete recovery in all treated patients. However, nimesulide was better tolerated: only one case of slight gastralgia was recorded in the nimesulide group vs the six cases of side-effects complained of in the aspirin + vitamin C group.