2006 - 09

Clin Ther. 2006 Sep;28(9):1279-95.

Analgesic efficacy of the cyclooxygenase-inhibiting nitric oxide donor AZD3582 in postoperative dental pain: Comparison with naproxen and rofecoxib in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.

Michael Hill C, Sindet-Pederson S, Seymour RA, Hawkesford JE 2nd, Coulthard P, Lamey PJ, Gerry Cowan C, Wickens M, Jeppsson L, Dean AD, Svensson O. University Dental Hospital, Heath Park, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the analgesic efficacy of single doses of 4-(nitrooxy)butyl-(2S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl) propanoate (AZD3582) in acute postoperative dental pain after the removal of an impacted mandibular third molar (ie, wisdom tooth). METHODS: Two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies were performed. In a dose-finding study, 242 patients were randomized to AZD3582 375, 750, 1500, or 2250 mg (n = 41, 37, 42, and 41, respectively); naproxen 500 mg (n = 39); or placebo (n = 42). In a comparator study, 282 patients were randomized to AZD3582 500 mg (n = 78) or 750 mg (n = 83), rofecoxib 50 mg (n = 80), or placebo (n = 41). Primary outcomes included time to rescue medication, time to pain relief, and mean pain intensity difference (MPID), as well as safety profile. Pain was rated on a visual analog scale. RESULTS: In the dose-finding study, 52% (126/242) were women; the mean (SD) age was 25.1 (4) years, mean weight was 69.0 kg, and the mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) was 23.7 (3) kg/m2. In the comparator study, 58% (164/282) were women; the mean (SD) age was 27 (6.4) years, mean weight was 71 kg, and mean (SD) BMI was 24.2 (3) kg/m2. In the dose-finding study, the AZD3582 750-, 1500-, and 2250-mg groups were superior to placebo in the primary variables "time to rescue medication (0-8 hours)" (hazard ratios [HRs] [95% CIs], 0.17 [0.07-0.42], P < p =" NS," p =" 0.003," p =" 0.02)," p =" 0.002)." p =" NS"> or =750 mg. The proportions of patients with vertigo and decreased orthostatic blood pressure each group were as follows: AZD3582 500 mg, 6%; AZD3582 750 mg, 12%; rofecoxib, 3%; and placebo, 5%. CONCLUSIONS: AZD3582 750 mg had similar analgesic efficacy as equimolar doses of naproxen, but noninferiority to rofecoxib was not demonstrated.