2-Substituted-5-oxo-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptenes, and derivatives thereof, and methods and compositions for the use thereof

A composition for treating inflammation, pain or pyrexia in mammals comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic excipient and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by the formula:

• ##STR4## where one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, or together R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methylene;
• R' and R.sup.4 taken together are .dbd.O and the dotted line refers to an optional, additional bond between the carbon atoms at the 10- and 11-positions.

The method of treating inflammation, pain, or pyrexia in mammals which comprises administering to a mammal suffering therefrom a therapeutically effective amount of a compound represented by the formula:

• ##STR5## where one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl, or together R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methylene;
• R' and R.sup.4 taken together are .dbd.O and the dotted line refers to an optional, additional bond between the carbon atoms at the 10- and 11-positions.