A comparative study of indomethacin and ibuprofen.

In a double blind trial with 20 patients ibuprofen 1600 mg daily and indomethacin 100 mg daily were shown to be of comparable efficacy in the short-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Reported side effects were similar, but a slightly greater incidence of gastric irritation was noted with indomethacin necessitating withdrawal of one patient from the trial. The serum concentrations for indomethacin and ibuprofen were determined for four hours after the last dose. Peak concentrations of both drugs occurred within two hours. Five of the seven patients considered to have comparable serum concentrations of both drugs demonstrated a preference for indomethacin.