Comparative efficacy and tolerability of two sustained-release formulations of diclofenac: results of a double-blind, randomised study in patients with osteoarthritis and a reappraisal of diclofenac's use in this patient population.

Objective: To compare the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of a sustained-release pellet formulation of diclofenac (Olfen-100 SR Depocaps, SR-CAP, Mepha Ltd, Aesch, Switzerland) with the standard reference formulation (Voltaren retard 100, SR-TAB, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland), both containing 100 mg diclofenac sodium, in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and/or hip. In addition, diclofenac's current place in the symptomatic therapy of OA is briefly reviewed.

Methods: In this 2-week double-blind, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial, 210 OA patients were randomised to receive either SR-CAP once daily or SR-TAB once daily (n = 105 for both groups).