Possibilities of nimesulid administration in pediatric rheumatology

Abstract

Objective. To analyze nimesulid efficacy and safety in children with reactive and juvenile chronic arthritis. Material and methods. 108 children aged 1,5 to 18 years receiving niomesulid (Doctor Reddi’s Laboratories Ltd, India) from 3,0 to 5,0 mg/kg/day as the main anti-inflammatory drug were included. Results. Duration of continuous treatment with nimesulid varied from 10 days in reactive arthritis to 1 year in juvenile chronic arthritis. Efficacy of the drug was quite comparable with other NSAID in 99,1% of pts with joint diseases. Adverse events appeared in 5,4% of cases (mainly gastrointestinal damage). Allergic skin rush was seen only during suspension administration. Nimesulid monotherapy did not induce hepatotoxic effect. Conclusion. Nimesulid can be recommended as anti-inflammatory drug in children with reactive and juvenile chronic arthritis. The drug has sufficient anti-inflammatory effect and minimum adverse events during long term administration and in combination with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Age restriction for nimesulid administration can be decreased to 1,5 years.