Butacote and Brufen in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases. A Multi-Centre Study of Effectiveness and Tolerability

A multi-centre double-blind trial in general practice compared Butacote (enteric-coated phenylbutazone) 300 mg daily, Brufen (ibuprofen) 1200 mg daily, and a placebo in the treatment of rheumatic conditions. Each patient received two of the three treatments for one month each. Twenty-nine doctors admitted 193 patients. 168 patients (sixty-four with inflammatory polyarthritis, and sixty-three with osteoarthrosis) completed the study, which showed that Butacote was significantly better than both Brufen and placebo for the relief of pain and morning stiffness, and improvement of function. Butacote was significantly preferred to both Brufen and placebo by patients and doctors, to placebo by the patients. Brufen was significantly better than placebo for relief of morning stiffness and for reducing the amount of supplementary analgesics. All three preparations were well tolerated and showed a similar incidence of gastric side-effects. It is concluded from this study that Butacote is more effective and as well tolerated as Brufen in the treatment of rheumatic conditions in general practice.