320 patients (>40 yr of age) with osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, hand, or spine were randomized to receive 100 mg of lumiracoxib, once or twice daily, or celecoxib 200 mg, once daily, for 52 week period. The purpose of the study was to compare the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability in this population. Lumiracoxib 100 mg, once daily dose, was found to be safe and effective and had similar long-term retention effects as celecoxib 200 mg in patients with osteoarthritis (OA); Lumiracoxib 100 mg, once daily dose was non-inferior to celecoxib 200 mg.