Anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic evaluation of acetaminophen and its potentiation of tolmetin.

The data obtained from 5-day and long-term evaluations of acetaminophen (APAP) using the adjuvant arthritis rat model, demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activities of APAP. The analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activities of tolmetin were significantly potentiated when used in combination with APAP. Inasmuch as APAP, up to 2.0 mg/kg/day, does not produce ulcerogenic effects and does not potentiate the ulcerogenic potency of tolmetin, the therapeutic safety of the APAP-tolmetin combination is much superior to tolmetin alone as determined by these preclinical evaluations. Further studies will be necessary to identify the existence of other side effects, which may or may not be potentiated, before any clinical studies can be contemplated.