A double-blind, multi-centre comparison of naproxen and indomethacin in acute musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

A double-blind, multi-centre trial was carried out in 191 patients with acute musculoskeletal conditions to compare the efficacy of naproxen and indomethacin. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 250 mg naproxen or 50 mg indomethacin twice daily. Treatment was for 7 or 14 days. The results, assessed by the patients' subjective responses, showed that statistically significant improvements in pain, mobility and general condition were produced by both drugs from the first day of treatment. Improvement continued throughout the treatment period but there was no significant difference in the degree or rate between the two drug groups. Twenty-seven patients (13 on naproxen; 14 on indomethacin) withdrew from the study because of side-effects.