Mefenamic acid and dextropropoxyphene with paracetamol as analgesics in the accident department

A double-blind study was carried out in 48 patients with soft-tissue injuries to compare the effectiveness of mefenamic acid and dextropropoxyphene plus paracetamol in relieving acute post-injury pain. Patients received capsules containing either 250 mg mefenamic acid or 32.5 mg dextropropoxyphene hydochloride plus 325 mg paracetamol and were instructed to take up to 6 capsules daily as necessary. By the third post-injury day both preparations had controlled pain adequately and lessened local tenderness in most cases. There was no significant difference in response between the two patient groups. Two patients in each group stopped treatment because of gastro-intestinal intolerance, and a further 4 patients in each group reported troublesome side-effects.