Zomepirac sodium. A new nonaddicting analgesic.

Zomepirac sodium (Zomax) is a new orally effective nonopioid analgesic that can relieve mild to severe pain. It is more effective than aspirin or codeine alone and is as effective as analgesic combinations containing codeine or other narcotics. Given orally, zomepirac has provided analgesia comparable with usual intramuscular doses of morphine in postoperative pain. With long-term use, neither tolerance to its analgesic effect nor psychic or physical dependence has been demonstrated. Like aspirin, zomepirac has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions and inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins. Zomepirac is generally well tolerated with both short-term and long-term use; gastrointestinal reactions are the most frequently occurring side effects.