Long-term comparison of suprofen and propoxyphene in patients with osteoarthritis.

The analgesic efficacy and safety of suprofen, 200 mg q.i.d., and propoxyphene, 65 mg q.i.d., were compared in 114 patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis. Both analgesic agents decreased pain intensity after only 1 week of treatment and considerable pain relief was apparent by week 2 to week 3 of treatment. These beneficial effects persisted with long-term therapy and improvement continued throughout the 24-week treatment period. Overall, the response to suprofen and propoxyphene was good to excellent in most of the patients treated. Long-term administration of suprofen was at least as well tolerated as that of propoxyphene. Only 24% (13 of 55) of suprofen-treated patients and 34% (20 of 59) of propoxyphene-treated patients discontinued therapy, primarily due to gastrointestinal complaints. It was concluded that suprofen, 200 mg q.i.d., is comparable in terms of efficacy to propoxyphene, 65 mg q.i.d., in relieving pain due to osteoarthritis.