Double-blind trial of the treatment of episcleritis-scleritis with oxyphenbutazone or prednisolone

Abstract

(1) A double-blind controlled study was made into the effects of treatment of 59 patients with oxyphenbutazone (Tanderil) and prednisolone in episcleritis and scleritis. Oxyphenbutazone has been shown to be effective in the treatment of episcleritis. Too few cases of scleritis were studied to allow firm conclusions to be drawn. (2) Oxyphenbutazone (600 mg./day) had less effect than prednisolone (30 mg./day) during the initial stages, but 3 weeks' treatment with oxyphenbutazone (400 mg./day) had a very similar effect to 3 weeks of prednisolone (20 mg./day). With oxyphen-butazone the improvement produced was maintained, whereas the patients receiving prednisolone tended to deteriorate as treatment was withdrawn. (3) No single aetiological factor was present in all the cases studied in this trial. The commonest associated condition was active rheumatic disease. (4) Two patients receiving oxyphenbutazone and one patient receiving prednis-olone were withdrawn from the trial because of side-effects attributable to the drugs.