Diacerein is a symptomatic slow-acting drug in
osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) with anti-inflammatory, anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic properties on cartilage and synovial membrane. It has also recently been shown to have protective effects against subchondral bone remodelling. Following the end of the revision procedure by the Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee of the European Medicines Agency, the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of
Osteoporosis and
Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) constituted a panel of 11 experts to better define the real place of
diacerein in the armamentarium for treating OA. Based on a literature review of clinical trials and meta-analyses, the ESCEO confirms that the efficacy of
diacerein is similar to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (
NSAIDs) after the first month of treatment, and superior to that of
paracetamol. Additionally,
diacerein has shown a prolonged effect on symptoms of several months once treatment was stopped. The use of
diacerein is associated with common
gastrointestinal disorders such as soft stools and diarrhoea, common mild skin reactions, and, uncommonly,
hepatobiliary disorders. However,
NSAIDs and
paracetamol are known to cause potentially severe hepatic, gastrointestinal, renal, cutaneous and cardiovascular reactions. Therefore, the ESCEO concludes that the benefit-risk balance of
diacerein remains positive in the symptomatic treatment of hip and
knee osteoarthritis. Furthermore, similarly to other SYSADOAs, the ESCEO positions
diacerein as a first-line pharmacological background treatment of
osteoarthritis, particularly for patients in whom
NSAIDs or
paracetamol are contraindicated.