Abstract
Non steroidal Anti- inflammatory drugs have their origin as the derivatives of plants, which were observed to have their therapeutic effects in different disease states. Topical delivery of NSAID has its therapeutic applications in management of pain and inflammation in Rheumatoid arthritis patients. The aim of the present investigation was to compare the Etoricoxib cream with Diclofenac and Piroxicam cream in a group of volunteers suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis and to compare the efficacy of these creams in reduction of inflammation. This single blind comparative study was done to determine the efficacy, tolerability and acceptability of topical application of Etoricoxib cream (1% w/w) vs diclofenac cream (1% w/w) and piroxicam cream (0.5% w/w) in Rheumatoid arthritis patients. In this study one hundred and twenty five volunteers suffering with acute Rheumatoid arthritis and age group between 40-60 years were analyzed for assessing the intensity of pain and anti-inflammatory effects of these three creams. The present study revealed that the intensity of pain was lessen up to 98% with Etoricoxib cream, 80% with Diclofenac cream and 84% with piroxicam cream on application of 2 weeks period. Clinically more than 90% improvement was seen in other parameters like tenderness, swelling and functional impairment with Etoricoxib cream as compared to Diclofenac and Piroxicam creams. It had been concluded that at the end of treatment period, Etoricoxib cream was statistically better in reducing pain, tenderness, and swelling and improves the functional ability than Diclofenac cream. Piroxicam cream rated better in these parameter as compared to Diclofenac cream.
