Comparison of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of topical niflumic acid gel versus piroxicam gel in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

A single-blind, parallel study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of topical niflumic acid 2.5% and piroxicam 0.5% gel preparations in the treatment of 100 patients with well-defined acute sprains or tendinitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive therapy three times a day for 14 days. Clinical assessments were performed at baseline and after 7 and 14 days of therapy. The mean change from baseline of all pain scores was examined considering the treatment (niflumic acid versus piroxicam) and diagnosis (sprains versus tendinitis). Niflumic acid was more effective than piroxicam in reducing overall pain and pain at rest and on palpation. There was no significant difference between treatments in the relief of pain on passive motion and on passive isometric contraction or in the improvement of functional limitation. The overall evaluation of efficacy favored niflumic acid over piroxicam after 7 days ( P = 0.01) and 14 days ( P = 0.03). Both gels were well tolerated; three patients treated with niflumic acid and four of those treated with piroxicam reported primarily skin-related adverse effects.