Double-blind comparison of the analgesic response to oral ciramadol (WY-15.705) and pentazocine in post-operative pain

Summary

The efficacy and safety of oral ciramadol, a synthetic partial agonist-antagonist analgesic, in rapid control of postoperative pain was compared with oral pentazocine in a double blind study in 46 patients. Ciramadol 20 mg and 60 mg and pentazocine 50 mg had a rapid analgesic effect, peaking within one hour. Although a similar pattern of activity was observed for ciramadol 20 mg and pentazocine 50 mg, ciramadol 60 mg provided significantly better and longer lasting pain relief (P<0.02). Side effects included sedation and sweating, which occurred with a similar frequency in the various treatment groups. Oral ciramadol appears to be a safe and highly effective analgesic.