Aceclofenac. A review of its pharmacodynamic properties and therapeutic potential in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and in pain management.

Aceclofenac is a phenylacetic acid derivative with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties similar to those of diclofenac. However, preclinical studies suggest that the potential of aceclofenac to cause gastrointestinal damage is less than that of diclofenac. Double-blind comparative trials indicate that the efficacy of aceclofenac is at least equivalent to that of ketoprofen and similar to that of indomethacin and diclofenac in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, similar to that of diclofenac and piroxicam in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and similar to that of tenoxicam, indomethacin and naproxen in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. The analgesic efficacy of aceclofenac 100mg is more prolonged than that of paracetamol (acetaminophen) 650mg. If the apparently improved gastrointestinal tolerability of aceclofenac compared with diclofenac is confirmed by wider clinical experience, aceclofenac will have the potential to become a preferred initial drug in an individualised NSAID regimen in patients with rheumatic disorders.