Effect of a combination of orphenadrine/paracetamol tablets (‘Norgesic’) on myalgia: A double-blind comparison with placebo in general practice

Summary

The clinical efficacy and tolerability of a combination preparation (‘Norgesic’) of 35 mg orphenadrine plus 450 mg paracetamol was compared with that of placebo in a controlled double-blind, parallel group, 7-day study comprising 44 patients suffering from pain due to tension of the cervical and upper thoracic musculature. The patients were allocated at random into two homogenous groups, stratified by sex and initial pain intensity. One group received the combination, the other placebo. The dosage used was 1 tablet 3-times daily. The effect of treatment of pain was assessed daily using a visual analogue scale. Despite the low dosage used, orphenadrine/paracetamol produced statistically significant pain relief from initial levels by and from the second day of the study. Comparison between the groups showed that the analgesic efficacy of the combination was significantly superior to that of placebo from the third day of treatment. These results confirm the efficacy of a combination of orphenadrine/paracetamol in patients suffering from myalgia nuchae.

Key Words::

• Orphenadrine
• paracetamol
• drug combinations
• myalgia