Efficacy and tolerability of the specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor DFP compared with naproxen sodium in patients with postoperative dental pain

DFP [3-(2-propyloxy)-(4-methyl-sulfonyl-phenyl)-(5 5-dimethyl)-furanone] is a highly specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (>2500-fold selective in tran sfected Chinese hamster ovary cell assays) that has demonstrated efficacy i n preclinical models of pain and inflammation. The present single-dose, ran domized, double-masked, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, parallel-group st udy was undertaken to compare DFP 5, 25, and 50 mg with naproxen sodium 550 mg and with placebo in 196 patients (mean age, 25.8 years; 187 [95.4%] mal es) who experienced moderate-to-severe pain after surgical removal of great er than or equal to 2 third molars. Overall analgesic effect, duration of e ffect, time to onset of analgesic effect, peak analgesic effect, and tolera bility were assessed over a 24-hour postdose period. Both DFP 25 and 50 mg, as well as the active comparator, naproxen sodium 550 mg, were significant ly more effective than placebo. The onset of analgesic effect in the DFP 25 -mg, DFP 50-mg, and naproxen sodium 550-mg groups did not differ significan tly. DFP was generally well tolerated in single doses up to 50 mg. DFP 50 m g was efficacious in the treatment of postoperative dental pain and was ind istinguishable from the active comparator, naproxen sodium 550 mg.