An open comparative study of the analgesic effects of tenoxicam and diclofenac sodium after third molar surgery

Tenoxicam and diclofenac sodium were compared as analgesics following the surgical removal of third molars. Twenty-five patients between the ages 17 and 29 years were randomly allocated into two groups. Patients in group A received a single intraoperative intravenous (i.v.) injection of 20 mg of tenoxicam followed by a 20-mg tablet given the evening after the operation; thereafter, one 20-mg tablet was given once daily for the next 6 days. Group B received a single intraoperative intramuscular injection of 75 mg of diclofenac sodium followed by a 50-mg tablet 4 to 6 hours postoperatively and during the evening; thereafter, a 50-mg tablet was taken three times daily for the next 6 days. Pain was postoperatively measured hourly for 4 hours and later in the evening. Pain was also measured in the mornings and evenings for the next 6 days. The highest pain scores were obtained 1 hour postoperatively for both groups. During the first 3 hours following administration, patients in the tenoxicam group experienced significantly more pain than those in the diclofenac group. Preoperatively, both treatments showed identical efficacy after 3 hours. It is therefore suggested that a 40-mg dose of i.v. tenoxicam should be administered at induction of anesthesia to achieve a higher level of analgesia in the immediate postoperative phase.