A Comparative Evaluation of Diclofenac Sodium Transdermal Patch, Oral Diclofenac Sodium With Intramuscular Injections of Diclofenac Sodium in Patients Suffering From Oral Pain: A Randomized Control Trial

Transdermal Patches ensure simple, painless procedure of drug usage even in patients with needle phobia. they are on par with sustainable plasma levels comparable with that of oral medication. With the local drug delivery method, hepatic first pass metabolism is bypassed. Offering increased flexibility in placing and removing the transdermal patch better patient compliance is achieved.

This study was carried out comparing the efficacy of analgesia, occurrence of side effects from the drugs employed and patient compliance during the drug usage with diclofenac sodium trans dermal patch 100 mg, oral supplementation of diclofenac sodium 50 mg given as twice daily medication and intra muscular administration of 75 mg diclofenac sodium once daily for two days in patients having dental pain due to periapical or periodontal pathology.

Material and Methods

A total sample of 90 subjects of either gender, between 18 to 80 years attending Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology with dental pain and who were willing to be part of the study were included and divided randomly into 3 groups based on their preference and priority of the route of administration of the drug. As this was a pilot study, a sample size of 90 was chosen according to recommendations by Isaac and Michael, W. B

The study was cleared by ethical clearance committee with necessary approvals. the subjects were informed thoroughly about the study and could withdraw from the study at their choice when there is no relief of pain with the medication.