Efficacy and safety of nabumetone versus diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen, and piroxicam in the elderly.

ABSTRACT

In a randomized, open-label, controlled, multicenter, 12-week study, the efficacy and safety of nabumetone (1,000-2,000 mg/day) versus diclofenac (100-200 mg/day), naproxen (500-1,500 mg/day), ibuprofen (1,200-3,200 mg/day), or piroxicam (10-20 mg/day) were evaluated in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The results in elderly patients (> or = 65 years of age) are presented. Nabumetone was as effective as the comparator nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of elderly OA and RA patients. Ibuprofen and diclofenac caused significantly (p < 0.05) more abdominal pain than nabumetone (8.5%, 13.1%, and 4.1%, respectively). The frequency of abdominal pain was dose related for all NSAIDs except nabumetone. Diarrhea was reported by significantly (p < 0.02) more nabumetone-treated (6.6%) than ibuprofen-treated (0.9%) elderly patients, but the incidence of diarrhea was not dose related. There were no clinically significant changes in renal function with nabumetone or the comparator NSAIDs. A significant change in hepatic enzymes occurred in elderly patients treated with diclofenac (3.3%), which was different than for patients treated with nabumetone (p < 0.04), naproxen (p < 0.06), or ibuprofen (p < 0.06). With regard to withdrawals for adverse events, more (p < 0.04) piroxicam-treated patients (4.9%) withdrew than nabumetone-treated patients (1%). In addition, doubling the dose of nabumetone from 1,000 mg/day to 2,000 mg/day did not result in a proportional increase in adverse events. However, with the comparator NSAIDs, proportional increases in adverse events occurred with increased dose. Finally, the efficacy and safety of nabumetone in elderly patients were similar to the efficacy and safety observed in nonelderly patients.