Pharmacokinetics and therapeutic study with nimesulide suppositories in children with post-operative pain and inflammation

Abstract

The pharmacokinetic pattern of 100 mg nimesulide administered rectally at different times prior to undergoing minor surgery was studied in 45 children. Absorption of nimesulide was relatively fast, a peak plasma concentration of 75 mg/l being reached 3 h after administration, and the elimination half-life was 3.15 h. The efficacy and tolerability of the nimesulide suppositories were assessed in a randomized, double-blind, dipyrone-controlled study of 50 children suffering from moderate to severe post-operative pain, the drugs being administered one to three times daily as required; 26 patients received nimesulide and 24 dipyrone. A consistent reduction in pain was recorded during nimesulide therapy given for a mean period of 2.5 days, with a mean consumption of 3.5 suppositories. Similar results were obtained in dipyrone-treated patients. The efficacy of both drugs was judged by the physicians to be good or very good in 70% of cases and there were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment groups in the dosage required or the pain relief. Tolerability of both drugs was excellent, with only one patient in each treatment group complaining of nausea.