An investigation into the efficacy of intravenous diclofenac in post-operative dental pain

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of single doses of intravenous diclofen ac sodium (25, 50 and 75 mg) in patients with post-operative pain after thi rd-molar surgery in a randomised, placebo-controlled study. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-nine patients (168 females) who required the removal of their impacted third molars participated in the study, which ha d received prior ethical approval. Surgery was completed under general anae sthesia and, during the early post-operative period, patients received eith er a single intravenons dose of diclofenac (25, 50 or 75 mg) or matched pla cebo in random, double-blind order. Pain intensity was assessed on 10-cm vi sual analogue scales at fixed time points throughout a 4-h investigation pe riod. Other efficacy variables obtained included time until rescue medicati on and overall assessment at 4, 6, 12 and 24 h after dosing. Results: Throu ghout the 4-h investigation period, patients treated with diclofenac report ed significantly less pain than those treated with placebo (P < 0.001). No differences were observed among the three doses of diclofenac (P = 0.22). S imilar results were observed at 6, 12 and 24 in after dosing. Significant d ifferences were also noted between the placebo group and all the diclofenac treatment groups with respect to time until rescue medication (P < 0.001) and the proportion of patients taking such medication. Conclusion: Single doses of i.v. diclofenac (25, 50 and 75 mg) provide sign ificant pain relief after third-molar surgery. The efficacy of this prepara tion does not appear to be dose related.