To try clinical response to xefocam, its safety, effects on arterial pressure and heart rhythm variability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with arterial hypertension (HT).
Xefocam (lornoxicam), a new non-steroid antiinflammatory drug, was given for 12 weeks in a daily dose 12 mg/day to 44 RA patients (mean age 54.5 +/- 7.3 years). 24-h arterial pressure monitoring was made with Cardiotens-01 device.
Xefocam in a dose 12 mg/day has shown good tolerance, a high analgetic and antiinflammatory effect as indicated by a positive response of articular syndrome, a significant fall of systolic arterial pressure, decreased heart rate, better heart rhythm variability.
In hypertensive RA patients xefocam in a dose 12 mg/day proved effective and safe.