title: Double-blind comparison of meptazinol (200 mg) and dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol in a multi-centre, general practice setting.
abstract: A multi-centre, double-blind, double-dummy trial was carried out in general practice to compare the effectiveness and tolerance of oral meptazinol with dextropropoxyphene/paracetamol in patients with acute or chronic painful conditions. Patients received doses of 400 mg meptazinol or 65 mg dextropropoxyphene plus 650 mg paracetamol every 3 to 6 hours as required up to a maximum of 4 doses per day over a period of 14 days. No significant difference in analgesic efficacy, as assessed by the patients on a visual analogue pain rating scale, was found between the two treatments. The results are discussed in terms of the benefit/risk ration of polypharmic and single compound drugs.
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001381:Azepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008621:Meptazinol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001381:Azepines; D008621:Meptazinol; D000082:Acetaminophen; D011431:Dextropropoxyphene