Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by topically applied flurbiprofen in human primary irritant dermatitis

The inhibitory effect of topically applied flurbiprofen, a newer nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent, on prostaglandin biosynthesis in human skin biopsies in primary irritant dermatitis was examined. The flurbiprofen‐treated areas synthesized significantly less PGE1 (279 pg/mg dry weight) than placebo‐treated inflamed skin (626 pg/mg dry weight). The average inhibition in 11 treated patients was 55% (P < 0.01 with Wilcoxon's signed rank test). Furthermore the anti‐inflammatory effect of flurbiprofen was clinically evaluated, and a poor correlation was found between the reduction of prostaglandin synthesis and the clinical effects of flurbiprofen.