Axorid, a symptomatic treatment of arthritis in patients who are at risk of developing gastric ulcers associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has received an extension of its licence.

The extension makes Axorid available for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

Taken as a daily capsule, Axorid offers pain relief and stomach protection in a single pill.

Axorid contains a painkiller and omeprazole, wich reduces levels of stomach acid.

The drug, manufactured by Meda Pharmaceuticals UK, is the first medicine to combine a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatment and a proton pump inhibitor to protect the stomach from ulcers and bleeding in a single pill.