Rheumatoid Arthritis: Kean WF

Kean WF. · No affiliation provided · Curr Med Res Opin. · Pubmed #15324530 No free full text.

Abstract: Oxaprozin (4,5-diphenyl-2-oxazolepropionic acid) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which is effective in models of inflammation, pain and pyrexia. It is effective and well tolerated in the clinical management of adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), ankylosing spondylitis, soft tissue disorders and post operative dental pain. Oxaprozin has a high oral bioavailability (95%), with peak plasma concentrations at 3 to 5 hours after dosing. It is metabolised in the liver by oxidative and conjugative pathways and readily eliminated by the renal and faecal routes. Oxaprozin's strong analgesic qualities are particularly useful in painful musculoskeletal conditions such as periarthritis of the shoulder, since it exhibits actions such as inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 isoenzymes, inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and of metalloproteases, and modulates the endogenous cannabinoid system. This editorial addresses the accompanying paper by Barbara Heller and Rosanna Tarricone on the management of shoulder periarthritis pain, in which they studied the efficacy and safety of oxaprozin compared to the comparator drug diclofenac over a 15 day period. Both oxaprozin and diclofenac compared well in the primary study endpoint of reduction in shoulder pain. Oxaprozin and diclofenac were well tolerated and oxaprozin showed better improvement in shoulder function and in the mental health item of the SF-36 quality of life component. The study by Heller and Tarricone is an addition to the large number of clinical trials which demonstrate that oxaprozin has equal efficacy in comparison with standard doses of commonly used anti-rheumatic agents such as aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin etc. in several different painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Buchanan WW, Kean WF. · No affiliation provided · J Rheumatol. · Pubmed #11327236 links to  free full text

This publication has no abstract.

Kean WF, Kean IR. · Department of Medicine (Rheumatology), McMaster University, Hamilton, L8N 1T8, Ontario, Canada. · Inflammopharmacology. · Pubmed #18523733 No free full text.

Abstract: Since the dawn of civilization, elemental gold and gold compounds have been revered and utilized by Shamen and medical practitioners alike for many varied pathological problems. In the 20(th) century following the observations of Jacques Forestier, injectable gold compounds were successfully used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Of the many compounds developed, gold sodium thiomalate has been the most extensively studied by basic scientists and by clinicians. In the1980s, the oral gold compound auranofin showed promise as a therapeutic contender to injectable gold, but the clinical side effect profile and fear of long term effects of immune suppression by auranofin, resulted in gold sodium thiomalate continuing as the preferred gold compound for rheumatoid treatment. However, the increased use and demonstration of effectiveness of low dose Methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid treatment over the last 20 years has resulted in a significant decline in the use of injectable gold sodium thiomalate, this despite the claims and evidence that it remains a useful agent in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Several authors still contend that the injectable gold compounds can still play a valuable role, and indeed may be the correct first choice in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.