COMPARISON OF KETOROLAC AND DICLOFENAC IN THE TREATMENT OF RENAL COLIC

Objective: To compare the efficacy and adverse effects of ketorolac an d diclofenac in the treatment of renal colic. Methods: In a double-bli nd, randomized clinical trial, 57 patients admitted to the emergency r oom for renal colic, received either 30 mg of ketorolac or 75 mg of di clofenac i.m. (intramuscularly). Evaluations were performed at 1, 2 h and 6 h after treatment. Pain was assessed by a four-point verbal rati ng scale (VRS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS). Only patients with a t least moderate pain according to the VRS were included. Seventy-five milligrams of pethidine i.m. was given as rescue medicine, if insuffi cient analgesia was achieved. The adverse effects recorded were sedati on, nausea and vomiting. Results: There was no significant difference between ketorolac and diclofenac, with respect to pain level over time , the number of patients requiring rescue medicine, or the level of ad verse effects. Conclusion: Ketorolac and diclofenac are equally effect ive in the treatment of renal colic.