Flurbiprofen-aspirin interaction: a double-blind crossover study

Summary Fifteen patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis were treated for 2-week periods with 150 mg flurbiprofen daily and with flurbiprofen in the same dosage plus 3g aspirin daily, the treatments being administered in random allocation. The results showed that there were no significant differences clinically between the two treatments. Serum levels of flurbiprofen were measured during both treatment periods in 4 patients. During the flurbiprofen and aspirin period there was a fall in the serum levels of flurbiprofen and both the rate of absorption of the drug and the amount absorbed were less. However, the apparent half-life of elimination of flurbiprofen was unchanged. No obvious reduction in clinical efficacy was apparent.