Evaluation of ketorolac, ibuprofen-paracetamol, and dextropropoxyphene-paracetamol in postoperative pain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To compare the analgesic efficacy of ketorolac, ibuprofen-paracetamol (acetaminophen), and dextropropoxyphene-paracetamol in postoperative pain.

DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind, parallel, single-dose study.

SETTING

Multicenter, with five centers participating.

PATIENTS

One hundred sixty patients with moderate to severe postoperative pain requiring oral analgesics were enrolled. Seventeen patients were excluded from final analysis due to deviation from protocol.

INTERVENTIONS

Ketorolac tromethamine 10 mg, a combination of ibuprofen 400 mg plus paracetamol 325 mg, or a combination of dextropropoxyphene 65 mg plus paracetamol 400 mg was given orally to patients with moderate to severe baseline pain.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Pain intensity and pain relief scores were rated at baseline, at 30 minutes, and hourly to 6 hours. Until the end of first hour, analgesia was similar for all three regimens. Ketorolac had a significantly higher analgesic effect than the two combinations between hours 2 and 6. Analgesia was similar for the two combinations. For all three test drugs the frequency of adverse effects was similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Ketorolac 10 mg is a superior analgesic to ibuprofen-paracetamol or dextropropoxyphene-paracetamol in the treatment of postoperative pain.