Abstract
The present recommended dose of benorylate is not satisfactory for the management of children suffering from inflammatory polyarthritis. A starting dose of 200 mg/kg/day should be used, and the salicylate level checked at seven days and the dosage adjusted to give an anti-inflammatory effect-that is, a blood salicylate level of between 25 and 30 mg/100 ml. Once a satisfactory level has been achieved, this dosage should be maintained with occasional monitoring of the salicylate level. The paracetamol level does not need to be estimated as it tends to follow the salicylate level, provided that liver function is normal; thus it is quite safe to monitor only the salicylate level. Given in an adequate dosage, benorylate seems to be an acceptable salicylate preparation for use in juveniles suffering from chronic polyarthritis.