DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF PIROXICAM AND CODEINE IN CANCER PAIN

A randomized, three-arm parallel study was performed to evaluate the a cute analgesic potency and tolerance of a single oral dose of 40 mg pi roxicam, 60 mg codeine, and a combination of 20 mg piroxicam and 30 mg codeine in 90 patients with chronic pain due to cancer. Thirty patien ts were randomized to each group. Pain intensity and pain relief were assessed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours after dosing using a four-point analog scale. At the end of the study period, both the patient and th e observer gave a global impression of the efficacy of the therapy. Vo lunteered side effects and their severity were noted. The results indi cated that the sum of the pain intensity differences was not statistic ally significant between the three groups (analysis of variance). For the overall evaluation of the efficacy, speed of action, and side effe cts, no statistically significant differences were seen between the th ree treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that piroxicam may be of value in the treatment of some types of cancer pain.