Long-Term Comparison of Suprofen and Propoxyphene in Patients with Osteoarthritis

Abstract

The analgesic efficacy and safety of suprofen, 200 mg q.i.d., and propoxyphene, 65 mg q.i.d., were compared in 114 patients with chronic pain due to osteoarthritis. Both analgesic agents decreased pain intensity after only 1 week of treatment and considerable pain relief was apparent by week 2 to week 3 of treatment. These beneficial effects persisted with long-term therapy and improvement continued throughout the 24-week treatment period. Overall, the response to suprofen and propoxyphene was good to excellent in most of the patients treated. Long-term administration of suprofen was at least as well tolerated as that of propoxyphene. Only 24% (13 of 55) of suprofen-treated patients and 34% (20 of 59) of propoxyphene-treated patients discontinued therapy, primarily due to gastrointestinal complaints. It was concluded that suprofen, 200 mg q.i.d., is comparable in terms of efficacy to propoxyphene, 65 mg q.i.d., in relieving pain due to osteoarthritis.

Outcomes Associated with Opioid Use in the Treatment of Chronic Noncancer Pain in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…Of the 43 studies, 40 (93%) provided efficacy data 29–68 . One of the 40 treatment studies 58 also provided information on rates of abuse and misuse, whereas three provided data only on rates of abuse and misuse 69–71 .…”

“…Only three studies compared opioid therapy with another active treatment (a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory or a tricyclic antidepressant) 42,55,64 . One found a nonsignificant difference in level of neuropathic pain reduction (effect size 0.206) between long‐acting morphine and tricyclic antidepressant (nortriptyline or desipramine) therapy 64 .…”

“…In patients with osteoarthritis, no difference in level of pain reduction was found (effect size −0.066) between long‐acting tramadol and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory (diclofenac) therapy 42 . Another study of osteoarthritis pain found that a weak opioid (propoxyphene) provided comparable analgesic efficacy to suprofen but provided inadequate data to calculate an effect size 55 …”

What Percentage of Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Patients Exposed to Chronic Opioid Analgesic Therapy Develop Abuse/Addiction and/or Aberrant Drug-Related Behaviors? A Structured Evidence-Based Review

“…Of the 79 original references, 12 were excluded through the above exclusion criteria. The remaining 67 reports [1–3,5–12,14–22,27,37,40–44,50–89] were reviewed in detail. It is to be noted that some studies addressed more than one issue relating to this review.…”

Propoxyphene Use by Community‐Dwelling and Institutionalized Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries

“…In addition to its potential for adverse effects, the clinical efficacy of propoxyphene has also been debated. Several studies have demonstrated that propoxyphene is no more effective than acetaminophen, aspirin, codeine, or ibuprofen in reducing pain and may even be inferior 8–12 . Another study could not establish significant therapeutic effectiveness for propoxyphene 13 .…”