An update on long-term efficacy and safety with benoxaprofen.

Studies with benoxaprofen in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, conducted in more than 2000 patients, continue to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness. In long-term, double-blind, parallel studies, benoxaprofen administered as a single daily dose was more efficacious than multiple daily doses of aspirin or ibuprofen. Significant clinical improvement was apparent after one week of benoxaprofen therapy in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Additional improvement was noted after 6 and 12 months of therapy. Discontinuation due to lack of efficacy or adverse effects was substantially lower for benoxaprofen than for aspirin or ibuprofen. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the rheumatoid factor titer, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly reduced in the benoxaprofen patient group. The incidence of drug-related peptic ulcer disease was 7 in 2204 (0.3%). No other serious gastrointestinal effect was attributable to benoxaprofen. The incidences of drug-related phototoxicity and onycholysis were 9.4 and 12.5%, respectively. These data suggest that benoxaprofen has a superior and perhaps different therapeutic profile than aspirin or ibuprofen.