Fenoprofen calcium therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Fenoprofen calcium (FC) was compared to aspirin (ASA) in 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a double-blind parallel study. The average daily dose was 2.0 gm of FC, or 3.6 gm of ASA. Most patients on FC therapy responded similarly to those receiving ASA, but FC was slightly better in reducing morning stiffness, walking time, fatigue severity, and activity index. More FC treated than ASA treated patients became worse when placebo was substituted after one year of therapy, with a greater increase in the number and severity of painful and swollen joints, in addition to the above mentioned parameters. This suggests a greater suppression of the inflammatory process during FC therapy. FC was well tolerated and had a greater antirheumatic effect than aspirin. Both drugs were superior to placebo.