EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF LONG-TERM TENOXICAM VERSUS PIROXICAM IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS OR OSTEOARTHRITIS

The efficacy and tolerability of long-term tenoxicam and piroxicam therapy were compared in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or degenerative osteoarthritis. Sixty consecutive patients were randomized to receive treatment with either oral tenoxicam or piroxicam; 30 patients had rheumatoid arthritis and 30 had osteoarthritis. Both drugs were given in a single daily dose of 20 mg for 12 months, and all patients enrolled in the study were evaluated for efficacy and tolerability on a monthly basis. The efficacy and tolerability of once-daily tenoxicam were found to be comparable to that of once-daily piroxicam therapy. Greater clinical improvement in the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis was noted in the tenoxicam-treated patients.