A review of dexketoprofen trometamol in acute pain

Abstract

Objective: Dexketoprofen trometamol is a modified non-selective COX inhibitor with a rapid onset of action that is available as both oral and parenteral formulations. The aim of this narrative review was to assess the efficacy and tolerability/safety of dexketoprofen trometamol in acute pain states using the best available published scientific evidence (randomized controlled clinical trials and systematic reviews/meta-analyses).

Methods: Literature retrieval was performed via Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library (from inception up to March 2017) using combinations of the terms “randomized controlled trials”, “dexketoprofen”, “celecoxib”, “etoricoxib”, “parecoxib” and “acute pain”.

Results: Single-dose dexketoprofen trometamol provides effective analgesia in the treatment of acute pain, such as postoperative pain (dental and non-dental surgery), renal colic, acute musculoskeletal disorders and dysmenorrhea, and reduces opioid consumption in the postoperative setting. It has a rapid onset of action (within 30 minutes) and is well tolerated during short-term treatment. Direct comparisons with COX-2 inhibitors are lacking; however, the efficacy and tolerability of single-dose dexketoprofen trometamol appears to be consistent with that seen with celecoxib, etoricoxib and parecoxib in the acute pain setting.

Conclusion: In conclusion, dexketoprofen trometamol appears to provide similar analgesic efficacy to COX-2 inhibitors when used to treat acute pain, has a rapid onset of action, is well tolerated, and has an opioid-sparing effect when used as part of a multimodal regimen in the acute pain setting.

Keywords:

• Acute pain
• celecoxib
• dexketoprofen trometamol
• etoricoxib
• parecoxib
• postoperative pain
• renal colic

Transparency

Declaration of funding

This work was carried out thanks to an unrestricted educational grant from Menarini Asia Pacific. Menarini did not have any role in design, planning or execution of the review. The terms of the financial support from Menarini included freedom for the authors to reach their own conclusions, and an absolute right to publish the results of this work, irrespective of any conclusions reached.

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the scope and content of this review, and were responsible for approval of the final draft.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

M.H. has disclosed that he is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board and of the Speakers’ Bureau of Menarini International. J.Y.M. has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article.

CMRO peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Menarini Asia Pacific for their support of this project, and ContentEdNet for editorial assistance.