ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Otorinolaringologia 2001 June;51(2):77-81

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Efficacy and tolerability of a mouthwash based on diclofenac in the treatment of disorders of the upper respiratory tract. Double blind study versus flurbiprofen moutwash

Pagella F., Rossi V., Zanoletti E., Benazzo M., Mira E.

Università degli Studi - Pavia Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia

Background. Diclofenac, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, performs its mechanism of action through an inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis. The authors have evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the new diclofenac mouth wash.
Methods. Sixty patients (36 M, 24 F) were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 42.6 years ± 14.6 SD suffering from pharyngitis (46 cases), pharyngolaryngitis (8 cases) and pharyngotonsillitis (6 cases). The patients were subdivided into two homogeneous groups of 30 patients each. In the study, carried out according to a double blind experimental design, diclofenac mouthwash (0.074%) and flurbiprofen mouthwash (0.25%) were administered according to a dosage scheme involving 2 rinsings or gargarisms a day (15 mL) for a period of 7 days.
Results. The results highlight the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of both treatments. With the mouthwash based on diclofenac, there was however a more significant decrease in pain symptoms (pharyngodynia, odynophagia).
Conclusions. Thus diclofenac mouthwash may be considered as a valid local treatment in oropharyngeal inflammations of mild/moderate severity.