'Safapryn' and benorylate — a comparative trial of two new preparations of aspirin and paracetamol in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Summary

A single-blind cross-over trial of 'Safapryn' and benorylate was carried out in 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo-arthritis in general practice. Each drug was given for 20 days, the first 25 patients going on to the alternative drug with no treatment-free interval, the second 25 going on to the alternative drug after one week free of treatment. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the two substances were assessed by subjective and objective parameters.

'Safapryn' was shown to be superior to benorylate in 64% of cases, and to be associated with a much lower incidence of side-effects. Most patients preferred the tablet presentation of 'Safapryn' to the liquid presentation of benorylate.

Key words: :

• Osteoarthritis
• arthritis
• rheumatoid
• aspirin
• acetaminophen
• side-effects
• gastric