Aceclofenac: the experience of Russian studies

Abstract

Aceclofenac is a popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has been used to control pain in rheumatic diseases for more than 25 years. The drug is used in 19 European countries and there are as many as its 298 generics. The good safety profile of aceclofenac makes it the drug of choice for treating osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease. Since 2005 in Russia, there have been 14 investigations of the efficacy and safety of aceclofenac (Airtal®) in 4096 patients. These studies have confirmed the high efficacy of aceclofenac: its therapy reduces pain compared to the baseline level by 52.9±15.9%. The rate of adverse reactions (ARs) averaged about 3%. Controlled studies showed ARs to aceclofenac in an average of 8.8% of cases and those to control drugs (diclofenac, nimesulide, meloxicam, and paracetamol) in 20.2%. It is noted that the experience of the Russian clinical trials demonstrates the high efficacy and favorable safety profile of Airtal®.