Efficacy of flurbiprofen 8.75 mg spray in patients with sore throat due to an upper respiratory tract infection: A randomised controlled trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Viral infections cause most cases of pharyngitis (sore throat); consequently, antibiotics are generally not warranted. However, a treatment targeting pain and inflammation, e.g. a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory spray, may be helpful for patients.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flurbiprofen 8.75 mg spray.

METHODS:

This randomised, double-blind, parallel group study was conducted at six community-based clinical research centres in Australia and two in New Zealand. Adults with sore throat due to upper respiratory tract infection (onset ≤ four days) took one dose of flurbiprofen (n = 249) or placebo spray (n = 256); after six hours, they could re-dose every three-six hours as required, for three days (max. five doses/day). The primary endpoint was the area under the change from baseline curve in throat soreness from zero-two hours (AUC0-2h). The change from baseline in other sore throat symptoms also assessed efficacy.

RESULTS:

The mean AUC0-2h for throat soreness was significantly greater with flurbiprofen spray (-1.82; 95% CI: -1.98 to 1.65) compared with placebo (-1.13; 95% CI: -1.27 to 0.99) (P < 0.0001). Significantly greater reductions from baseline were observed with flurbiprofen spray compared with placebo from the first time-points assessed (five minutes for throat soreness/difficulty swallowing, 20 minutes for sore throat pain intensity and 30 minutes for swollen throat) for up to six hours (P < 0.05 for all). There was no significant difference in adverse events between treatment groups during the three-day study.

CONCLUSION:

Flurbiprofen spray provides rapid and long-lasting relief from sore throat symptoms, and is well-tolerated over three days.

• Authors: Ferdinandus de Looze, Marc Russo, Mark Bloch, Barney Montgomery, Adrian Shephard, Gary Smith, Sue Aspley
• Journal: The European journal of general practice (Eur J Gen Pract) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 111-8 (Jun 2016) ISSN: 1751-1402 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27028316 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Flurbiprofen

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Australia
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Flurbiprofen (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• New Zealand
• Pain Measurement
• Pharyngitis (drug therapy, etiology)
• Respiratory Tract Infections (complications, drug therapy)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult