Effect Of Aminophenazone, Codeine And Diallymal On Pain Occurring In Children After Adeno-Tonsillectomy: A Double-Blind Study

Abstract

In a double-blind trial, the effect on the postoperative pain of aminophenazone (220 mg), codeine phosphate (5 mg), diallymal (30 mg) and their combinations was studied in 159 children, about 5-7 years of age, treated by adeno-tonsillectomy. The efficacy of the suppositories was estimated according to the amount required. Optyl® (a combination of all the three drugs studied) suppositories were always given after two coded suppositories had been tried.

During the first 2 hours after operation the most effective treatment was the combination of aminophenazone and codeine, followed by aminophenazone combined with codeine and diallymal. 13 and 21% of the children treated with these suppositories, respectively, needed two coded suppositories. Aminophenazone, diallymal or their combination were about equieffective and superior to placebo whereas codeine alone or combined with diallymal was equal to placebo. 55% of the children treated with placebo needed two coded suppositories.

On the basis of the total number of Optyl suppositories later required, the most potent treatment was the combination of all the three drugs studied. 20% of the children in this group needed one Optyl suppository whereas 39% of the children treated with aminophenazone and codeine needed one Optyl suppository and 6% of them two Optyl suppositories. As distinguished from the other treatments the combination of all the three drugs differed significantly from placebo, which was the most ineffective.

This study suggests that the combination of aminophenazone, codeine and diallymal relieves postoperative pain more effectively than one single drug or a combination of two drugs.