Double-blind clinical trial of protacine versus oxyphenbutazone in rheumatic disorders. 
A double-blind trial wa carried out in 30 in-patients, mainly with rheumatoid disorders, to compare the efficacy and tolerance of protacine with those of oxyphenbutazone.  Patients were given oral doses either of 150 mg protacine or 200 mg oxyphenbutazone 3-times daily for 21 days.  Clinical symptoms were assessed by semiquantitative scoring at 5-days' intervals.  The same was done for side-effects.  Protacine globally reduced the symptom scores by 55% and oxyphenbutazone by 34% (p < 0.001).  Frequency and severity of side-effects were significantly less and less severe during protacine than during oxyphenbutazone treatment (p < 0.01).  Physiological parameters did not vary during either treatment.  Good efficacy, good tolerance and a convenient dose schedule suggest that protacine may well be suited also for long-term treatment.