DOI: 10.11648/j.ijpr.20260203.13 ISSN: 3070-1562

Expert Perspectives on Polmacoxib and Its Combination with Paracetamol in Osteoarthritis: A Nationwide Survey from India

Manjula Suresh, Krishna Manjunath
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Objective: To assess expert perspectives and the perceived efficacy, safety, and clinical positioning of polmacoxib, both as monotherapy and in combination with paracetamol, in routine osteoarthritis (OA) management across clinical settings in India. Methodology: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey, was conducted among 346 clinicians involved in OA management across diverse Indian clinical settings. A 22-item structured questionnaire captured treatment preferences, perceived safety concerns with traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), clinician experience with polmacoxib, and usage patterns of the polmacoxib-paracetamol combination. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: The survey included 346 clinicians. Approximately 65% reported that OA most commonly affects the knee joints, and 37% identified paracetamol as the most preferred NSAID. Nearly 64% of clinicians indicated that GI, cardiovascular, and renal adverse effects collectively represent the major drawbacks of traditional NSAIDs. A substantial proportion (92%) reported that polmacoxib’s dual binding properties potentially offer superior cardiovascular, renal, and GI tolerability compared with traditional NSAIDs or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Regarding combination therapy, 53% of experts preferred polmacoxib plus paracetamol in 26-50% of their OA patients, while 32% used the combination in 11-25% of patients. Approximately 49% of clinicians stated that the combination provides improved pain control, allows lower dosing, and may reduce adverse effects. Nearly 90% of respondents reported no adverse drug reactions with polmacoxib. Conclusion: The survey findings indicate that polmacoxib is widely regarded as an effective and well-tolerated option for managing OA. Clinicians demonstrated a strong preference for the polmacoxib-paracetamol combination, highlighting its superior pain control and potential safety benefits. The favorable tolerability profile and perceived reduction in NSAID-related adverse effects support the use of polmacoxib, either alone or in combination, as a valuable option in routine clinical practice for OA.

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