A comparison of naproxen, indomethacin and aspirin in osteoarthritis.

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and know received naproxen (750 mg/d) or indomethacin (100 mg/d) in a 16-wk, double-blind, crossover study, in which interspersion of repeated aspirin phases allowed a "detrending" adjustment which compensated for changes in baseline activity with time. Results of the 24 variables studied showed a favorable comparison of naproxen and indomethacin in reducing the symptoms of OA. Although most of the variables favored indomethacin, the differences were small and few were statistically significant. Considerably fewer side effects were seen with naproxen than with either indomethacin or aspirin, and naproxen with tolerated considerably better than indomethacin. Concurring with other studies, this trial showed that naproxen is a useful, well-tolerated drug for the treatment of OA.