Comparative study of flurbiprofen and morphine for postsurgical gynecologic pain

Abstract

This single-dose, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study assessed the efficacy and safety of 50 mg of flurbiprofen (Ansaid, Upjohn) in the relief of postoperative pain following cesarean section, as well as vaginal or abdominal hysterectomies. Results show that both 50 mg of oral flurbiprofen and 10 mg of intramuscular morphine sulfate were significantly superior to placebo in 161 patients with respect to pain intensity after medication, pain relief scores, need for additional analgesia, and overall clinical evaluation of pain relief. By two hours after treatment, there were no significant differences between morphine sulfate and flurbiprofen in terms of pain intensity or degree of pain relief. According to investigators' global evaluations of efficacy, both active treatments were statistically superior to placebo. The only adverse reaction occurred in the morphine treatment group. Flurbiprofen administered orally for the relief of moderate to severe pain following major gynecologic surgery appears to be equal to morphine sulfate and superior to placebo in efficacy and safety. Unlike morphine, flurbiprofen is a nonparenteral, uncontrolled substance, and thus patient acceptance is improved while nursing time is decreased.