Trial of prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors in primary dysmenorrhoea.

The prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitors, mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid, were compared with the analgesic, dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol, in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea in a double-blind crossover trial. Results were assessed in 30 patients who took each drug during menstruation for three consecutive cycles. The patients' assessment of each drug suggests that both mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid are more effective than the other analgesic for general relief of symptoms and for most of nine individual symptoms subjectively assessed by the patient. There was less absenteeism from work or school during mefenamic-acid treatment and fewer capsules of mefenamic acid were taken compared with the other two drugs. Patients took significantly fewer additional analgesics during mefenamic-acid therapy than during treatment with the other two drugs. 5 patients had possible side-effects--3 patients on mefenamic acid and 2 on dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol.