Abstract:
AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib 120mg OD compared to Diclofenac Sodium 50mg BD in post extraction dental pain.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total number of 100 patients posted for third molar extraction were recruited for the study. Those who met the inclusion criteria (n = 51) were randomized into two treatment groups A & B. Group A received T. Diclofenac Sodium and Group B received T. Etoricoxib. Written Informed consent was obtained from all the patients. On the day of surgery patients were given the study drugs and visual analog scales (VAS) to assess the pain intensity for 5 days. Baseline pain intensity immediately after surgery and at 8hrs was recorded on the day of surgery. They were asked to report any adverse events over phone during the study period. On day 5 the completed forms were collected and evaluated statistically using one way analysis of variance.
RESULTS: The statistical analysis of pain intensity using VAS showed that 78% of patients showed severe baseline pain intensity and at the end of 8 hours on the first day of surgery, Diclofenac group showed 27% reduction in pain intensity and 39% reduction in Etoricoxib group (P value < 0.05). On day 5 pain reduction was 97% and 100% in Diclofenac and Etoricoxib group respectively. Global assessment and safety assessment showed better gastrointestinal profile for the Etoricoxib than Diclofenac sodium. No major adverse effects were reported in the two study groups.
CONCLUSION: Present study proves that Etoricoxib has a rapid onset and prolonged pain relief and statistically significant analgesic effect in the immediate postoperative period of 8 hrs in comparison to Diclofenac sodium. The traditional time tested analgesic Diclofenac sodium 50mg b.d and newer Etoricoxib 120mg are equally effective in post extraction dental pain. Safety Profile especially GIT toxicity was comparatively better for Etoricoxib than Diclofenac sodium during the study period.
Keywords: Etoricoxib, diclofenac sodium, visual analog scale, pain assessment, safety
Journal Authors
1 K.Punnagai, 2 K.Gunasekaran, 3 I.Glory Josephine, 4 K.Vijaybabu
1 Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, SRMC, Chennai.
2 Assistant Professor of Anaesthesiology, Saveetha Medical College Chennai.
3 Assistant Professor of Pharmacology, Balaji Medical College, Chennai.
4 Associate Professor of Pharmacology, VMKVMC Salem.