The efficacy and safety of
fenoprofen calcium (
Nalfon, Dista, Indianapolis, IN) and
aspirin for treating acute inflammatory
soft tissue injuries were compared in a 3 to 10-day randomized, double-blind, parallel study of 100 patients with
bruise (1),
bursitis (33), ligamentous strain (8), myofascitis (43), and
tendinitis (15). Forty-seven of the 50
aspirin-treated and 48 of the 50
fenoprofen-treated patients were evaluable. Results of the study showed that
fenoprofen calcium and
aspirin were equally effective in treating acute inflammatory
soft-tissue injuries; however, adverse experiences occurred in fewer patients and at a lower frequency with
fenoprofen calcium therapy. In global assessments, 73% of the patients rated
fenoprofen therapy as very good or good compared to 64% of the patients who received
aspirin therapy. There were no significant differences in the clinician's and the patients' global assessments of
therapy. The study suggests that
fenoprofen calcium is effective for use in treating
soft-tissue injuries since it is better tolerated than
aspirin when given in equally effective doses.