Etodolac, a Well Known and Actively Used Drug in Different Countries of the World. Would It Be Time for Us?

Abstract

Etodolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a moderately selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, which has been already used in clinical practice for more than 30 years as a universal analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. Etodolac has proven itself in relieving acute pain associated with injuries and surgical interventions (particularly in dentistry). However, the main point of application of etodolac is long-term pain control in chronic rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Numerous clinical trials have shown that etodolac is at least not inferior in its therapeutic effect to many other popular representatives of the NSAID group or exceeds them. The main advantage of etodolac is the low frequency of gastrointestinal complications. This review presents the basic data available in the literature on the efficacy and safety of etodolac.