Pirprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug, related structurally to drugs such as
ibuprofen,
ketoprofen and
naproxen. Published clinical trials indicate that
pirprofen 600 to 1200 mg/day
as 2 or 3 divided doses is a suitable alternative to usual therapeutic dosages of
aspirin,
flurbiprofen,
ibuprofen,
indomethacin,
ketoprofen,
naproxen,
piroxicam and
sulindac in the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis,
ankylosing spondylitis, musculoskeletal disorders and non-articular
rheumatism. More studies are required to evaluate its potential relative to other commonly used drugs in the treatment of
gout,
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and dysmenorrhoea. In patients with acute postsurgical,
trauma or
cancer pain, single oral or intramuscular doses of
pirprofen 200 to 400mg provide equivalent
analgesic activity to usual therapeutic doses of
aspirin,
diflunisal,
ketoprofen,
noramidopyrine,
paracetamol and
pentazocine. As with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, gastrointestinal complaints are the most frequently reported side effects. At equivalent
analgesic or anti-inflammatory dosages,
pirprofen probably causes fewer side effects than
aspirin and appears to be as well tolerated as the other agents with which it has been compared. Long term tolerability, particularly compared with some of the newer, purportedly less gastrotoxic agents or formulations, needs to be investigated further.
Pirprofen does not appear likely to offer any particular advantage with respect to efficacy and tolerability over other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, except
aspirin. However, as no one agent is the most suitable
drug for all patients requiring such
therapy,
pirprofen may be considered along with other drugs of this type in the
therapy of arthritic conditions and
acute pain states.