In a previous open clinical trial with d-2-(6'-methoxy-2'-naphthyl)-propionic
acid (
naproxen) in 32 outpatients with
osteoarthrosis, very good to good results were achieved in 6 patients, satisfactory in 12, fair in 5, and unsatisfactory in 9 patients. The severest side effect observed was a case of gastric
bleeding in a female patient who had been previously treated with a
drug containing
phenylbutazone and
prednisone. Since, furthermore, 6 out of 9 such patients who did not respond to
therapy had to stop the durg prematurely because of minor side effects and since in another 6 there was a tendency to a reduction of the leucocyte count, we subsequently initiated a long-term efficacy and tolerance study in our department for chronic patients. This series comprised 15 patients, aged 66 to 86 years, with severe, partly immobilizing
coxarthroses and gonarthroses. The length of treatment was 2 to 16 months (mean 10.5 months). During the first 3 months ESR determinations and complete blood counts were performed every two weeks, later at four-weekly intervals. The patients were questioned weekly as to the efficacy of the treatment and as to side effects. Neither changes of the laboratory data nor gastro-intestinal side effects were observed. In two patients -- one a female with multiple
allergies -- treatment had to be stopped because of
itching and
exanthema, respectively. The
analgesic effect of
naproxen was evaluated as very good in 5 cases, good in 5, fair in 2, and unsatisfactory in 3 cases. In addition, we conducted another clinical trial in 15 outpatients with degenerative
joint diseases (partly of the spinal column). Their age varied from 16 to 60 years.
Naproxen was administered in daily doses from 500 to 750 mg for the duration of 6 to 12 weeks. In no case had treatment to be interrupted, nor was there any gastric intolerance or alteration of the blood count observed in this group. Clinical results were classified as satisfactory to good in 10 patients.