Polmacoxib 2mg in patients with mild to moderate idiopathic osteoarthritis of hip/knee-a randomized, double-anonymous study

AIM: Polmacoxib, a new COX-2 inhibitor with carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory action, is expected to help minimize the adverse effects associated with other NSAIDs, like GI (gastrointestinal) and CV (cardiovascular) system- related issues. The comparative efficacy and safety of polmacoxib 2 mg (manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited) versus celecoxib 200 mg (manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited) were assessed in this randomized, double-anonymous, clinical study in Indian adult patients diagnosed with idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) of the. PATIENTS & METHODOLOGY: 18 years and older patients of either sex, clinically and radiographically diagnosed idiopathic knee or hip OA were randomized to receive either polmacoxib or celecoxib in a 1:1 ratio. All patients were assessed with various pain measuring scales and recorded the scores at the end of weeks 3 and 6. CONCLUSION: The data for all the pain assessment scores were analyzed, and polmacoxib was found to be a non-inferior therapeutic agent compared to celecoxib in terms of safety and efficacy.(https://ctri.nic.in/CTRI/2022/05/042923).