A study published in the latest issue of the medical journal The Lancet claims that a newer class of drugs has lesser side effects on arthritics. This research carried out by Merck employees was confirmed by the Frontier Science Foundation independently.
Patients suffering from arthritis generally take non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) like Aspirin and ibuprofen. Ulcers and stomach bleeding which are associated with NSAIDS are said to be reduced with a newer class called the COX-2 inhibitors.
Thirty five thousand people who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis participated in this study. These patients were advised to consume along with their regular drugs, a proton pump inhibitor to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects. Heart patients were encouraged to take a lower dose of aspirin. There were fewer instances of ulcers reported.
But Joost Drenth and Freek Verheugt of Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands felt that the extent of safety of the COX-2 inhibitors along with a proton pump needs to be tested.