This study tested the safety, tolerability and efficacy of lumiracoxib - a COX-2 inhibitor- in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Requirement of regular NSAID therapy
• With primary osteoarthritis of the target knee (by ACR Criteria) or with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (by ACR Criteria)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of active ulceration of the UGI tract within 6 months prior to the screening visit or history of active bleeding of the UGI tract within the previous 5 years. As well as with pyloric or duodenal obstruction or with history of gastrointestinal parasites.
• History of cardiac and cerebral thrombotic/ischemic diseases and/or events
• Patients taking additional NSAIDs (including COX-2 inhibitors) during the course of the study.

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply