A double-blind cross-over study comparing flurbiprofen with naproxen-sodium for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.

The efficacy of flurbiprofen (100 mg, twice daily) and naproxen-sodium (500 mg, twice daily) for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea was evaluated in a double-blind cross-over study. All the women (n = 57) complained of severe (23%) or very severe (77%) dysmenorrhea which interfered with their daily life. Frequent absenteeism due to dysmenorrhea was reported by 39% of the women. The severity of pain was reduced (p less than 0.001) during treatment with both flurbiprofen and naproxen-sodium compared with the pain severity before the first dose. There was, however, no significant difference in mean pain relief achieved by the two drugs studied. During the study period, absenteeism was reported by only 6 (11%) and 3 (5%) women when treated with flurbiprofen or naproxen-sodium respectively. More than 60% of the women reported no or only mild interference with daily activities during treatment. No serious side effects were reported and none of the patients was obliged to terminate treatment because of side effects. Flurbiprofen and naproxen-sodium, at the dosages indicated, were both shown to be effective in relieving pain in patients suffering from severe primary dysmenorrhea and markedly improved their capacity for normal activities during menstruation.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes