Double-blind comparison of meptazinol (200 mg) and dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol in a multi-centre, general practice setting.

A multi-centre, double-blind, double-dummy trial was carried out in general practice to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of oral meptazinol with dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol in patients with acute or chronic painful conditions. Patients received doses of 400 mg meptazinol or 65 mg dextropropoxyphene plus 650 mg paracetamol every 3 to 6 hours as required up to a maximum of 4 doses per day over a period of 14 days. No significant difference in analgesic efficacy, as assessed by the patients on a visual analogue pain rating scale, was found between the two treatments. The results are discussed in terms of the benefit/risk ration of polypharmic and single compound drugs.