New antirheumatic agents: Fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon), naproxen (Naprosyn), and tolmetin sodium (Tolectin).

The new antirheumatic agents, fenoprofen calcium, naproxen, and tolmetin sodium, are effective in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Their efficacy is comparable, but not superior, to that of aspirin in usual oral doses. These agents also may be useful in degenerative joint disease and ankylosing spondylitis and as analgesics and antipyretics; however, there are insufficient data available to establish their efficacy and dosages for these uses. The incidence of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal bleeding, is lower with these agents than with aspirin; thus, these drugs may be useful substitutes in patients who cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal effects of aspirin.