Use of nimesulide in the therapy of rheumatoid diseases
Nimesulide is widely used in 50 countries, including Russia and the EU. A number of clinical trials showed Nimesulide efficacy for correction of disorders associated with lesions of the peripheral joints, spine, periarticular soft tissues in patients with rheumatic diseases. In these studies, nimesulide was effective as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and caused a rapid response in patients. In addition, the pharmacokinetics of nimesulide characteristics (short half-life, lack of clinically significant accumulation) and the ability to selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition determine the general drug high tolerability. Analysis of the results of its use in general clinical practice shows that nimesulide significantly less likely cause adverse event on the gastrointestinal tract as compared with nonselective NSAIDs.

Keywords: osteoarthritis, cyclooxygenase-2, rheumatic diseases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, nimesulide, rheumatoid arthritis