Tolerability to nabumetone and meloxicam in patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intolerance.

BACKGROUND

Because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) intolerance depends on COX-1 inhibition, preferential or selective COX-2 inhibitors have been thought to be well tolerated by these patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate tolerability to nabumetone and meloxicam in patients with NSAID intolerance.

METHODS

Seventy patients intolerant to NSAIDs were selected. Thirty subjects were patients with asthma with respiratory (rhinitis-asthma) intolerance to NSAIDs (group A); 40 patients (group B) had cutaneous-mucous (urticaria-angioedema) NSAID intolerance. Diagnosis was based on clinical histories in all patients, and it was confirmed by positive single-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge test in 36 patients. After written informed consent, a single-blind placebo-controlled oral challenge test with nabumetone in all patients (2 g except for 11 patients who reached 1 g) and meloxicam (15 mg) in 51 patients was performed.

RESULTS

Of the total selected, 94.3% tolerated 1 g nabumetone. In those who reached the 2-g dose, the tolerability was 83.6%. With respect to meloxicam, 96.1% of patients, tolerated 15 mg. No significant difference in nabumetone and meloxicam tolerability was observed between groups A and B.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study confirm a high percentage of tolerability to the maximum therapeutic dosage of nabumetone and meloxicam in patients with NSAID intolerance, both in those with cutaneous/mucous manifestations and in those with respiratory disease.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nabumetone and meloxicam are safe alternatives in NSAID-intolerant patients.