Study: Less Expensive NSAIDs More Cost-Effective in Treating Arthritis

Less expensive non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen (Aleve) are more cost-effective in treating symptons of average cases of chronic arthritis than newer NSAIDs like Vioxx and Celebrex, according to researchers.

Over 15 percent of Americans suffer from chronic arthritis, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Both Vioxx (rofecoxib) and Celebrex (celecoxib) were developed to help avoid the gastrointestinal problems associated with other anti-inflammatory drugs.

However, the study, as reported in the May 20 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that this benefit did not offset the increased cost of using Vioxx and Celebrex to treat most cases of arthritis.

Researchers at UCLA and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System believe their study may lead to increased use of the less expensive NSAIDs to treat arthritis.

The researchers did find Vioxx and Celebrex to be cost-effective in treating the small subset of patients with a history of severe gastrointestinal complications like ulcer bleeds.

Other sources: UCLA