Comparison of a standard ibuprofen treatment regimen with a new ibuprofen/paracetamol/codeine combination in chronic osteo-arthritis.

: Twenty-eight patients with osteoarthritis participated in a prospective, double-blind, cross-over study to compare the safety and efficacy of a new combination analgesic containing ibuprofen 200 mg, paracetamol 250 mg and codeine phosphate 10 mg per tablet (Myprodol; Rio Ethicals) with a standard treatment regimen (ibuprofen 200 mg per tablet). The combination tablet was found to provide significantly better pain relief than ibuprofen alone (P less than 0.05). Analysis of the results of haematological, hepatic and renal function tests showed no statistically significant differences between treatments. No serious side-effects or clinically important changes were encountered with either drug.