Does dipyrone have any effect on respiratory function in COPD patients?
OBJECTIVE
Dipyrone (Novalgin) is an effective analgesic, antipyretic agent also with spasmolytic effects on various types of smooth muscles. It has recently been reported that dipyrone relaxes tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig. In this present study, we aimed to investigate whether this and previously reported in vitro results have any consequences on the respiratory function of normal healthy volunteers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.


METHODS
In this one-centered, non-randomized, non-comparative, open labelled study, 15 normal healthy volunteers and 15 stable COPD patients, with partially reversible bronchospasm, diagnosed according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria were enrolled in the study at the time they had any indication of dipyrone use. The spirometric tests were performed by a portable notebook and Medikro Spiro2000 spirometry programme-software 1.6 version, before 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after 20 mg/kg of orally dipyrone intake. Groups were compared with the General Linear Model Repeated Measures analysis of variance.


RESULTS
None of the spirometric parameters evaluated showed any significant differences when compared with the baseline values in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
While dipyrone had no bronchodilator effects on either COPD patients or normal volunteers, it also did not impair the spirometric parameters. Since COPD is a disease characterized by a progressive and largely irreversible airflow limitation, dipyrone has no observable bronchodilator effect. However, since dipyrone does not impair the pulmonary function, it can be used safely in COPD patients when there is an indication.
Gulmez
S Ezgi
SE
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical School of Ankara University, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. gulmez@medicine.ankara.edu.tr
Tulunay
F Cankat
FC
Beder
Sumru
S
Kayacan
Oya
O
Karnak
Demet
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004177:Dipyrone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008448:Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004177:Dipyrone