Inhibition of the
cyclooxygenase (COX)-2
enzyme has been shown previously to reduce
pain and
inflammation.
Valdecoxib is a new highly selective
COX-2 inhibitor with a rapid onset of action and significant
analgesic properties. This study compared the
analgesic efficacy of
valdecoxib and
rofecoxib in treating
postoperative pain in patients undergoing
oral surgery. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the efficacy of 40 mg
valdecoxib with that of 50 mg
rofecoxib and placebo. Efficacy was assessed by the onset of
analgesia,
pain intensity levels, and
pain relief over 24 hours, time-weighted sum of total
pain, sum of
pain intensity difference, the percentage of patients requiring rescue medication and experiencing regimen failure, and patients' global evaluation. Patients receiving
valdecoxib experienced a significantly quicker onset of
analgesia, significantly improved
pain relief, and lower
pain intensity compared with patients receiving
rofecoxib and greater satisfaction with their study medication after a single dose.
Valdecoxib also demonstrated efficacy that was superior to that of
rofecoxib with respect to the percentage of patients requiring rescue medication or experiencing regimen failure (p < or =.05).
Valdecoxib,
rofecoxib, and placebo were equally well tolerated. This study demonstrates that
valdecoxib provides significantly greater
analgesic efficacy than
rofecoxib in the management of
pain after
oral surgery.