Efficacy and Tolerance of Naproxen Instant Suspension Formulation: A Post-Marketing Survey

Abstract

A multi-centre uncontrolled clinical trial was performed in 42 Italian hospitals to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of an instant suspension of naproxen, a well known anti-inflammatory drug. A total of 390 adults of all ages with musculoskeletal rheumatic diseases or minor traumatic injuries entered the trial. Patients received 500 mg naproxen instant suspension twice daily after meals, for 1–4 weeks. Assessment of signs and symptoms was made before starting the therapy, after 3 days and at the end of the treatment period. The drug produced a rapid and progressive relief of pain and articular symptoms in most patients and was equally effective in all the diagnostic sub-groups. The efficacy of treatment was ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ in about 85% of patients, ‘moderate’ in 10% and ‘minimal’ or ‘absent’ in about 5%. Almost 90% of patients had no side-effects; 5% were withdrawn because of unwanted effects. No correlation between incidence or intensity of side-effects and age of the patients or duration of therapy was observed. The complaints reported are common to other anti-rheumatic drugs, e.g. epigastric pain, pyrosis, nausea, vomiting and headache. In conclusion, naproxen instant suspension is highly effective and well tolerated.