A critical assessment of oxaprozin clinical profile in rheumatic diseases

Oxaprozin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the n-propionic acid class without potential for enantiomeric metabolism, used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), musculoskeletal pain and other inflammatory conditions. Oxaprozin has been shown to be effective in a number of animal models of inflammation, pain and pyrexia and has subsequently been shown to be effective and well tolerated in the clinical management of signs and symptoms of adult rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, soft tissue disorders such as bursitis and tendonitis, and post-operative dental pain. The clinical efficacy of oxaprozin is well documented by a great number of clinical trials versus placebo and other NSAIDs. A metaanalysis was performed in order to evaluate the global clinical profile of oxaprozin. A total of 111 reports, articles and abstracts were collected, and 51 were included for analysis according to a predefined methodology. All included studies were double-blind and the majority had parallel arms except 4 which were cross-over. This meta-analysis demonstrated that oxaprozin, in the treatment of RA and OA, has at least equal or superior efficacy in comparison with placebo or standard doses of aspirin, diclofenac ibuprofen, indomethacin, nabumetone, naproxen, piroxicam and zomepirac, and is well tolerated. The meta-analysis confirms oxaprozin as a valid alternative in the treatment of rheumatic disorders.