The analgesic efficacy of etoricoxib compared with oxycodone/acetaminophen in an acute postoperative pain model: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

Abstract

Our objective in this study was to compare the analgesic effects of etoricoxib and oxycodone/acetaminophen in a postoperative dental pain model. Patients experiencing moderate to severe pain after extraction of two or more third molars were randomized to single doses of etoricoxib 120 mg (n = 100), oxycodone/acetaminophen 10/650 mg (n = 100), or placebo (n = 25). The primary end-point was total pain relief over 6 h. Other end-points included patient global assessment of response to therapy; onset, peak, and duration of effect; and rescue opioid analgesic use. Active treatments were statistically significantly superior to placebo for all efficacy measures. Total pain relief over 6 h for etoricoxib was significantly more than for oxycodone/acetaminophen (P < 0.001). Patient global assessment of response to therapy at 6 and 24 h was superior for etoricoxib. Both drugs achieved rapid onset, although the time was faster for oxycodone/acetaminophen by 5 min. The peak effect was similar for both drugs. Compared with oxycodone/acetaminophen patients, etoricoxib patients experienced a longer analgesic duration, had a smaller percentage requiring rescue opioids during 6 and 24 h, and required less rescue analgesia during 6 and 24 h. Oxycodone/acetaminophen treatment resulted in more frequent adverse events (AEs), drug-related AEs, nausea, and vomiting compared with etoricoxib treatment. In conclusion, etoricoxib 120 mg provided superior overall efficacy compared with oxycodone/acetaminophen 10/650 mg and was associated with significantly fewer AEs.

• Authors: David J Chang, Paul J Desjardins, Thomas R King, Tara Erb, Gregory P Geba
• Journal: Anesthesia and analgesia (Anesth Analg) Vol. 99 Issue 3 Pg. 807-815 (Sep 2004) ISSN: 0003-2999 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15333415 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Pyridines
• Sulfones
• Acetaminophen
• Oxycodone
• Etoricoxib

Topics

• Acetaminophen (administration & dosage)
• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Etoricoxib
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Oxycodone (administration & dosage)
• Pain, Postoperative (drug therapy)
• Pyridines (therapeutic use)
• Sulfones (therapeutic use)