Double-blind comparison of ketoprofen and mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

Forty women with moderate to severe primary dysmenorrhea participated in a two-month, double-blind, crossover trial comparing ketoprofen with mefenamic acid. Treatment with ketoprofen provided rapid and marked pain relief similar to that afforded by mefenamic acid. This improvement in symptoms was accompanied by an amelioration of the disability score, which was equivalent for both drugs. There were no differences between the two treatments with respect to duration of menses or amount of menstrual flow. Patients rated both drugs as equally effective and had no preference for one treatment over the other. One patient dropped out because of a mild allergic reaction to ketoprofen. All other side effects were not severe, although slightly more gastrointestinal reactions were observed with ketoprofen. It is concluded that ketoprofen is as safe and effective as mefenamic acid in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.