New formulation of ibuprofen shows benefits in treating joint pain

A newpain relief medication that is available over the counter has been shown in a study to offer verifiable benefits in the management of joint pain.  The new lipid-ibuprofen soft capsules, which are now being sold in the UK under the name Flarin, have the potential to offer a new first-line option for the self-management of flaring joint pain, according to research. Clinically proven benefits Conducted among 462 patients across 27 primary care centres in the UK and the Netherlands, the study assessed the benefits of this new version of ibuprofen in reducing episodic knee pain flares among primary care patients.  Results published in the medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage showed that lipid-formulated ibuprofen, taken at a dose of 1,200 mg per day, was just as effective as prescription-strength ibuprofen at 2,400 mg per day at relieving flaring joint pain.  A total of 86 per cent of patients receiving the treatment experienced an improvement after five days, with reductions in stiffness and swelling also observed. Additionally, they reported fewer incidences of drug-related adverse gastrointestinal events compared to other forms of ibuprofen.  The pharmacy-only product uses lipid-formulation technology to encase the active ingredient in a lipid coating, and is absorbed through the lymphatic part of the immune system, meaning the stomach is protected from damage.  Study author Philip Conaghan, professor of musculoskeletal medicine at the...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news