A double-blind crossover study to compare lysine acetyl salicylate (Aspergesic) with ibuprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Lysine acetyl salicylate [1.8 g t.d.s. (Aspergesic 1,000 sachet)] has been compared to 400-mg ibuprofen tablets t.d.s. in a randomized double-blind trial in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using double-dummy technique. Both drugs proved effective in relieving symptoms. Three patients experienced drug-related side-effects with Aspergesic, and one patient with ibuprofen, that necessitated early discontinuation of treatment. Aspergesic was associated with a greater number of haemoglobin values falling below the normal range than ibuprofen. At the end of the study, eight out of 10 patients who expressed a preference selected Aspergesic for improving mobility whilst 15/24 selected Aspergesic for improving pain.