Tolmetin sodium and indomethacin in the treatment of osteoarthrosis of the hip: a double-blind crossover study.

A double-blind crossover study was carried out in 21 patients with osteoarthrosis of the hip to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of 1200 mg tolmetin sodium daily with 75 mg indomethacin daily. Each drug was given in 3 equally divided doses daily for a period of 2 weeks, both active treatment periods being preceded by 1 week on placebo. Active treatment sequence was at random. Patients were seen again after 1, 3, 4 and 6 weeks and assessments made of pain at rest, on standing, on walking, degree of sleep disturbance, and degree of limitation of everyday activity. Intermalleolar distance was also measured. A record was kept of the clinician's opinion of change with treatment, any side-effects and the patient's preference. The results from 19 patients completing the study showed that both drugs produced a good analgesic response, particularly in night pain, and most patients found their incapacitation decreased with active treatment as compared to placebo. The few side-effects reported were mild and transient, except in 1 patient who withdrew from tolmetin sodium treatment because of limiting gastrointestinal symptoms.