Comparative study of the effectiveness of flurbiprofen given twice or 3-times daily.

A double-blind trial was carried out in 15 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 15 with coxarthrosis to assess the effectiveness of 300 mg flurbiprofen daily, administered in divided doses either twice or 3-times a day. Patients were allocated at random to receive treatment for 7 days either with a morning and evening dose of 150 mg flurbiprofen plus a mid-day dose of placebo, or with 3 doses of 100 mg flurbiprofen. They were then crossed over to the alternative regimen for a further 7 days. The results, evaluated by a 5-point rating scale of pain severity and of functional activity and by overall patient and doctor assessments, showed that flurbiprofen was effective in 66% of the 26 patients completing the trial. Tolerance was also assessed as being satisfactory in 83% of all patients. Comparison of the two treatment periods showed that 2 daily doses of flurbiprofen produced as good results as the 3-times daily regimen.