A double-blind, interpatient comparison of plain and slow-release ketoprofen in osteoarthritis.

Eighty patients with osteoarthritis of various localization completed a double-blind, parallel-group trial of 2 weeks' duration comparing the efficacy and tolerance of ketoprofen slow-release capsules (150 mg) given either as a morning or a midday or an evening dose with that of ketoprofen conventional capsules (50 mg) 3X daily. All regimens were associated with a statistically significant improvement in pain at rest, pain on active motion, quality of sleep, and spine flexion, but there was no difference between treatments. The tolerance of ketoprofen was also similar in all groups. In view of the alleged better compliance of patients with once-daily medications, the new slow-release formulation of ketoprofen appears to be a useful alternative to the conventional capsules.

Effects of intravenous indoprofen on bleeding time and other haemostatic parameters.

The influence of i.v. administration of indoprofen on template bleeding time and other haemostatic parameters was investigated in ten elderly subjects with osteoarthritis. The drug was given first as a single dose (400 mg bolus) and then, after an appropriate interval, as a short-term treatment (200 mg bolus t.i.d. for 7 days). Platelet count, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were never affected, whereas a significant, though moderate, lengthening of bleeding time and a parallel reduction of platelet aggregation were observed in both trials. In the acute one these changes were seen at the first hour following administration and waned in all patients within 96 hours. In the subacute test the bleeding time was steadily prolonged throughout the week of treatment, being slightly still above the baseline value 7 days later, at which time no residual effects were noticeable in platelet aggregation.

Indoprofen in rheumatic patients with acute episodes: a multicentre trial.

The results are reported of an open multicentre trial in 228 rheumatic patients with flare-ups. Fourteen centres adopting the same investigational protocol collaborated in the study. Indoprofen was administered for 1 week at a daily dosage of 1000 mg according to a treatment schedule used with success in acute gouty arthritis: a 400 mg i.v. bolus was followed by 200 mg (1 tablet) t.i.d. Subjective (pain) and objective variables were used for reliable assessment of activity. Marked reduction of pain intensity was already noticeable on day 1 of treatment and was followed by progressive improvement in subjective and objective variables for all the diagnoses considered. According to the patients' own overall assessments, results were good or very good in more than 50% of cases. The best outcomes were obtained in low back pain, acute gout and psoriatic arthritis. At the end of treatment only 7.4% of patients experienced no change or deterioration of symptoms. Adverse reactions, consisting mostly of mild and reversible gastrointestinal disturbances, were reported by 9.2% of patients, but only in 1.8% was treatment discontinued. Indoprofen administered according to the above schedule is an appropriate treatment for acute episodes of rheumatic diseases.

A double-blind evaluation of oral indoprofen versus ASA in osteoarthritic patients: influence on haemostatic parameters and clinical effects.

Indoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was investigated in a double-blind, randomized study in 44 osteoarthritic patients for its influence on haemostatic parameters and therapeutic effects. Twenty-two patients received indoprofen orally, 600 mg daily, and a similar group took acetylsalicylic acid 3 g daily for 21 days. Platelet count, partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time showed no variations. Bleeding time wa prolonged and platelet aggregation reduced by both drugs. The effects of ASA, however, were significantly greater. Indoprofen, unlike ASA, showed almost no residual effect seven days after stopping medication. The therapeutic responses to indoprofen and ASA were comparable. However, adverse reactions (pyrosis and gastric pain) were much more frequent in the ASA group (15 patients) than in the indoprofen group (2 patients).

[A new standardized method for determination of the bleeding time]. / Un nuovo metodo standardizzato per la determinazione del tempo di sanguinamento

The standardized bleeding time is considered a valuable measure of the platelet role in haemostasis. It is particularly useful for the evaluation of drugs that affect platelet functions. Measurements of the bleeding time were performed using a new system which was designed following the instructions of Mielke and co-workers with some variations of the described method. The standardized bleeding time proved to be a high reproducible and sensitive technique.

[Anti-platelet aggregating drugs in the prevention of thromboembolic diseases]. / I farmaci antiaggreganti piastrinici nella prevenzione delle malattie tromboemboliche

The treatment and prevention of arterial thrombosis have been improved in recent years by the use of drugs acting on certain platelet characteristics, such as clumping capacity, adhesivity, release of factors 3 & 4, and survival. Many substances have been proposed for clinical employment. Mechanisms of action are discussed on the basis of personal experience, particularly with dipyrimadol and beta-blocking drugs. It would seem that the best results are obtainable with drugs whose effect on platelet clumping comes from stablisation of the membrane, such as the non-steroid anti-inflammatory preparations, in association with drugs than enhance intraplatelet cyclic AMP.