Double blind study with nefopam, tilidine and placebo, for postoperative pain suppression.

A double-blind study involving 101 patients was done to assess the efficacy of parenteral nefopam (0.66 mg/kg) for postoperative pain suppression, in comparison to tilidine (1.67 mg/kg) or placebo. The difference in painfree duration for both active drugs compared to placebo is significant, but no significant difference was present between them; although tilidine was a little longer acting. At no moment a significant difference was present in the pain score of the patients receiving one of both active drugs. Only minor changes of blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory frequency were seen and marked side effects were not present in any of the patients.