Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of hemophilic arthropathy.

This study was undertaken to investigate the safety and efficacy of nonaspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in controlling the pain and stiffness of hemophilic arthropathy. Data were collected from eight adult hemophilic patients in successive double-blind controlled studies using choline magnesium trisalicylate (CMT) and ibuprofen (IPF). In seven patients, neither drug consistently affected bleeding times, platelet aggregation studies, frequency of joint hemorrhages, or frequency of factor infusions. In one patient, platelet aggregation appeared to be affected by CMT and bleeding time became markedly prolonged after IPF therapy. Three patients taking CMT and four patients taking IPF reported greater relief of pain and stiffness with the drugs than with placebos. Our results suggest that IPF and CMT can benefit the hemophiliac and that they can be used safely in most hemophilic patients under closely supervised conditions.