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

Abstract

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.