Comparative evaluation of the safety and efficacy of etoricoxib and diclofenac on the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with osteoarthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis (the Multinational Etoricoxib and Diclofenac Arthritis Long-term (MEDAL) study program)

Abstract

The review gives and analyzes the data of a number of studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the upper gastrointestinal tract. Particular emphasis is laid on the results of the multinational etoricoxib and diclofenac arthritis long-term (MEDAL) study program. The randomized MEDAL study has shown that etoricoxib has more benefits than diclofenac.

Keywords

• etoricoxib
• diclofenac
• safety
• osteoarthrosis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• gastrointestinal tract
• medal study program