title: Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges for treating sore throat symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed multiple doses of flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges for the relief of three prominent symptoms of acute pharyngitis: pain intensity (primary end point), difficulty swallowing and swollen throat.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 204 patients (102 in each group) with confirmed pharyngitis (onset ≤4 days) were randomly assigned to take up to five flurbiprofen or placebo lozenges every 3-6 h, for 7 days. Using validated rating scales (sore throat pain intensity, difficulty swallowing and swollen throat) patients rated their symptoms for the duration of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the first 24 h, patients treated with flurbiprofen lozenges reported significantly greater reductions in sore throat pain (47%) as well as difficulty swallowing (66%) and swollen throat (40%) compared with placebo (all p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple doses of flurbiprofen lozenges provide effective relief of sore throat pain intensity as well as difficulty swallowing and swollen throat.
authors.affiliation: Schachtel Research Company, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Bernard P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Schachtel
authors.affiliation: Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International Ltd, Slough, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shephard
authors.affiliation: Reckitt Benckiser, Parsippany, NJ, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.affiliation: Schachtel Research Company, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanner
authors.affiliation: Schachtel Research Company, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Savino
authors.affiliation: Schachtel Research Company, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rezuke
authors.affiliation: Schachtel Research Company, Inc., Jupiter, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schachtel
authors.affiliation: Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International Ltd, Slough, UK.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aspley
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005480:Flurbiprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013607:Tablets; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013607:Tablets; D005480:Flurbiprofen
keywords: NSAID; acute pharyngitis; analgesia; flurbiprofen; respiratory tract infection; sore throat; streptococcal infection