A controlled trial of magnesium dithiosalicylate compared with aspirin in rheumatoid arthritis. 1980

J Dequeker, and E Stevens, and L Wuyts

The anti-inflammamtory effectiveness and side-effects of magnesium dithiosalicylate were compared to aspirin in a 3-month, parallel, double-blind trial in 40 patients suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that 3 g magnesium dithiosalicylate daily had anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of 3 g aspirin daily in rheumatoid arthritis. A statistically significant change in morning stiffness, number of tender joints, pain score and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was observed in the magnesium dithiosalicylate group. In the magnesium dithiosalicylate group, 8 patients had to be withdrawn from the trial because of serious side-effects compared to 5 in the aspirin group. Gastro-intestinal intolerance occurred as frequently in both treatment groups. Hypersensitivity to magnesium dithiosalicylate was a serious problem and the reason for withdrawal in 4 cases. The high frequency of side-effects to magnesium dithiosalicylate makes this drug unacceptable for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis at the present time. Further pharmacological studies might reveal new derivatives which are as effective but with less side-effects. The anti-inflammatory activity of magnesium dithiosalicylate resembled that observed with gold and penicillamine. The fact that all these drugs have a sulphhydril group in common is stressed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D004311 Double-Blind Method A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment. Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D001172 Arthritis, Rheumatoid A chronic systemic disease, primarily of the joints, marked by inflammatory changes in the synovial membranes and articular structures, widespread fibrinoid degeneration of the collagen fibers in mesenchymal tissues, and by atrophy and rarefaction of bony structures. Etiology is unknown, but autoimmune mechanisms have been implicated. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D001241 Aspirin The prototypical analgesic used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain. It has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties and acts as an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase which results in the inhibition of the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. Aspirin also inhibits platelet aggregation and is used in the prevention of arterial and venous thrombosis. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p5) Acetylsalicylic Acid,2-(Acetyloxy)benzoic Acid,Acetysal,Acylpyrin,Aloxiprimum,Colfarit,Dispril,Easprin,Ecotrin,Endosprin,Magnecyl,Micristin,Polopirin,Polopiryna,Solprin,Solupsan,Zorprin,Acid, Acetylsalicylic

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