A Controlled Trial of Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone, and a Placebo in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Abstract
Phenylbutazone, its derivative oxyphenbutazone, and a placebo were administered in succession to 60 patients (11 males, 49 females) with rheumatoid arthritis. Their mean age was 53 years and the average duration of the disease 5 years. Each patient received each treatment for 3 weeks, and assessments were recorded of grip, degree of pain, freedom of movement, functional capacity, and side-effects. The order of administration was randomized and only the chief pharmacist knew which drug was being given at any time. A method of analysis, designed to assess the hangover effects of the treatments, showed these to be negligible. Results were in keeping with the findings of other workers, that phenylbutazone (Butazolidin) and oxyphenbutazone (Tanderil) are both potentially effective in the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, both drugs giving significantly better results than the placebo. But no significant differences could be demonstrated between phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone by any of the assessments made. Nor were the small differences obtained consistent. Three assessments slightly favored phenylbutazone, and two oxyphenbutazone. There was no significant difference between the percentage of side-effects recorded from phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone and the placebo; and while 5 of 6 patients intolerant to phenylbutazone were tolerant to oxyphenbutazone, in 2 instances the converse was true.