Family Forum / Pregnancy / Pregnancy / September 2005

Anne,

100 mg doses, orally.

"A total of 261 women were randomly assigned to receive either Diclofenac
hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine (100 mg) (n = 133) or Ketoprofen (100 mg) (n =
128), both given orally every 12 hr up to 48 hr, as necessary."

I hope the ketoprofen works.

Todd

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005 Oct;84(10):951-5. PubMed abstract
 
Diclofenac pyrrolidine versus Ketoprofen for the relief of pain from
episiotomy: A randomized controlled trial.
Facchinetti F, Luisa Casini M, Costabile L, Malavasi B, Unfer V.
Mother-Infant Department, Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of
Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
Background. The treatment of pain from episiotomy or from tearing of
perineal tissues during childbirth is often unapplied, although discomfort
may be severe. We performed a randomized double-blind controlled trial to
compare the effectiveness and side-effects of two analgesics in the
management of postpartum perineal pain. Patient preference toward the two
medications was also analyzed. Methods. A total of 261 women were randomly
assigned to receive either Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine (100 mg) (n =
133) or Ketoprofen (100 mg) (n = 128), both given orally every 12 hr up to
48 hr, as necessary. Inclusion criteria were vaginal birth with episiotomy
and/or a second- to third-degree tear. Pain ratings were recorded before the
administration of the drugs and at 1, 4, 12, and 24 hr after the first dose,
according to a 10-cm visual-analog scale. Side-effects and overall opinion
on the two treatments were assessed at 24 hr. Results. Diclofenac
hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine and Ketoprofen had similar analgesic properties in
the first 24 hr postpartum [mean pain rating 3.1 +/- 1.8 and 3.4 +/- 2.0,
mean number of doses in 24 hr 1.4 +/- 1.4 and 1.3 +/- 1.5, and proportion of
treatment failures 12.8% (17/133) and 16.4% (21/128), respectively].
Significantly fewer subjects in the Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine
group than in the Ketoprofen group experienced side-effects (6.8% versus
15.6%; p = 0.038) with an odd risk = 0.39(95% C.I. 0.16-0.95). There were no
significant differences in overall patient satisfaction between the two
groups. Conclusions. No main differences were found concerning the relief of
pain between the two treatments. Diclofenac hydroxyethyl pyrrolidine may be
the preferred choice because it is associated with less adverse reactions,
together with a faster action in the relief of pain.