Current review and comparison of the new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

New pharmacodynamic chemical agents have been released for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritides. These agents, the aryl-alkanoic acid derivatives, which are classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, exert an anti-inflammatory effect on locally affected tissues. A suggested mechanism of action may be to inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are involved in the basic inflammatory tissue response. These agents have been found to be not significantly more effective than aspirin, but they may be useful in patients who cannot tolerate aspirin.