Double-blind Randomized Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Nimulid (nimesulide) and Diclofenac in Osteoarthritis

The efficacy and safety of Nimulid (Nimesulide) and Diclofenac was evaluated in a double blind randomized diclofenac controlled trial in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Out of 141 patients, 71 (42 mates, 29female) received Nimulid 100 mg. BD and 70 patients (40 male, 30 female) received Diclofenac 75 mg BD. There was no statistically significant difference in the age, sex, duration of illness distribution of patients in both the groups. Various parameters studied were: severity of pain on routine activity and on movement, morning stiffness and limitation of movement Nimulid (Nimesulide) appeared to reduce limitation of movement more effectively than Diclofenac (P<0.05). At the end of therapy there were more number of patients with mild limitation of movement in the Nimulid group than in the Diclofenac group. Requirement for paracetamol as rescue therapy was significantly lesser in Nimulid group compared to Diclofenac group. Six patients receiving Diclofenac and two patients receiving Nimulid experienced mild and transient gastrointestinal side effects. However, no patients in either of the groups discontinued the protocol therapy due to side effects. Nimulid (Nimesulide) 100 mg BD is an effective and well tolerated analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent in osteoartritis.