INDICES> flufenamic acid

["lo@euronet.nl" <lo@euronet.nl>]

Dear Colleague,

Flufenamic acid is an old (1969) NSAID which has gained some 
popularity as locally applied analgesic (cream, fluid), and as such 
is still on the market in Belgium (Solvay) and in Germany (Luitpold). 
Due to its age there are no properly conducted clinical trial reports 
available. Its oral use seems to be restricted to Australia ("Arlef") 
as Parke-Davis preparation. I don't know whether it is still on the 
market over there, but its share must be quite small. It is still 
registered as oral preparation in Germany, but no longer marketed.
It causes acute proctocolitis and attacks of porphyria (see 
Martindale XXXI, 46). Its side effects profile is similar to that of 
mefenamic acid, and it is characterized by a high (7-31%) withdrawal 
rate in long-term studies. "There is scant evidence to show whether 
it has any advantage over other NSAID"(SED XIII, 242)The incidence of 
g.i. side effects is high (30-60%) with diarrhoea in 11-46% of 
patients. Thrombocytopenia and rashes have also been described.
These are readily available data in the public domain. Decide 
yourself!

Best wishes,
Dr.L.Offerhaus
Koedijklaan 1a, NL-1406 KW Bussum, The Netherlands
Phone: 0031-35-6923288  Fax: 0031-35-6923290
E-mail: LO@EURONET.NL; CompuServe 71530,15
EJCP Only: POB 75552, NL-1070AN Amsterdam


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