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CHADDS FORD, Pa., Apr 01, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A U.S. study of 143 patients with osteoarthritis found a lidocaine patch may be as effective as the oral medication Celebrex in relieving chronic pain.
The study, presented at the 24th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Pain Society, was conducted by researchers at the Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Altoona, Pa. It tested the Lidoderm topical analgesic patch by Endo Pharmaceuticals against a 200 milligram dose of Pfizer's Celebrex.
Researchers said after six weeks of using the patch, 54 percent of patients experienced a 30 percent or greater reduction in pain intensity. Among patients taking Celebrex, 62 percent achieved that level of pain relief. At 12 weeks, 71 percent of patch patients and 72 percent of the Celebrex group reported a 30 percent or greater improvement in pain intensity.
Osteoarthritis affects 20 million people in the United States and is responsible for 7 million doctor visits each year.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
