Multicentre double-blind comparison of piroxicam and indomethacin in the treatment of lumbar diseases.

In a 2-week, double-blind, parallel, multicenter study, piroxicam (20 mg once-daily) and indomethacin (25 mg three times daily) were compared in the treatment of painful lumbar disorders. A total of 230 patients were evaluated, 116 who received piroxicam and 114 who received indomethacin. While both drugs were highly effective in relieving symptoms, numerical superiority was evident for piroxicam in most efficacy parameters. The difference between treatments was most obvious at the end of the first week, when a greater percentage of patients receiving piroxicam was rated as 'very much improved'. No serious adverse reactions or clinical laboratory abnormalities were noted for either drug, although fewer gastrointestinal side effects were observed with piroxicam.