Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ARTHROTEC versus NAPROXEN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ARTHROTEC versus NAPROXEN.
ARTHROTEC vs NAPROXEN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Arthrotec is a combination of diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, and misoprostol, a synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog that protects the gastric mucosa by increasing mucus and bicarbonate secretion, enhancing mucosal blood flow, and promoting epithelial repair.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in inflammation, pain, and fever.
One tablet (diclofenac 50 mg / misoprostol 200 mcg) orally twice daily with food.
250-500 mg orally twice daily; maximum 1.5 g/day. For extended-release: 750-1000 mg orally once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Gatifloxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Gatifloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Rosoxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Rosoxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Levofloxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Levofloxacin."
Clinical Note
moderateNaproxen + Trovafloxacin
"Naproxen may increase the neuroexcitatory activities of Trovafloxacin."
Diclofenac: ~2 hours (range 1-4 h); misoprostol: 20-40 minutes (acid metabolite 1.5 h). No accumulation with repeated dosing.
Terminal elimination half-life 12-17 hours (mean 14 hours); permits twice-daily dosing. Half-life prolonged in elderly and hepatic impairment.
Renal: ~95% as metabolites (diclofenac: ~65% as glucuronide conjugates; misoprostol: ~80% as inactive metabolites). Biliary/fecal: <5%.
Primarily renal (95% as unchanged naproxen and 6-O-desmethylnaproxen); <5% fecal via biliary excretion.
Category C
Category D/X
NSAID
NSAID