Oral (fast dissolving) piroxicam versus IM diclofenac for renal colic
Date First Published:
December 22, 2000
Last Updated:
November 6, 2001
Report by:
Russell Boyd, Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Search checked by:
Polly Terry, Manchester Royal Infirmary
Three-Part Question:
In [renal colic] is [oral fast dissolving piroxicam or IM diclofenac] better [at reducing pain]?
Clinical Scenario:
You have just seen a patient with presumed renal colic. You have prescribed a dose of IM diclofenac as per departmental policy but wonder if a newer fast dissolving oral piroxicam agent would be as effective as the usual parenteral diclofenac agent.
Search Strategy:
Medline 1966-08/01 using the OVID interface.
Search Details:
[exp Diclofenac OR exp diclofenac sodium OR diclofenac.mp OR voltarol.mp] AND [exp piroxicam OR piroxicam.mp OR feldene.mp] AND [renal colic.mp OR exp ureteral calculi OR exp renal calculi]
Outcome:
2 papers were identified of which one was found to be relevant.
Relevant Paper(s):
| Study Title | Patient Group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcomes | Key results | Study Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piroxicam fast-dissolving dosage form vs diclofenac sodium in the treatment of acute renal colic: a double-blind controlled trial. Supervia A, Pedro-Botet J, Nogues X et al. Spain, 1998 | 80 sequential patients with a clinical diagnosis of renal colic confirmed by either urinalysis or ultrasound | Double blind randomised controlled trial | Pain as measured by visual analogue score at 30 minutes | Both treatments significantly reduced pain scores at 30 minutes post administration. No significant difference evident between treatments in terms of efficacy of pain relief. | Relatively small numbers with no power study so possible type II error |
Author Commentary:
A fast dissolving NSAID preparation of piroxicam seems effective at relieving renal colic pain and appears as effective as the standard diclofenac IM treatment in terms of speed to onset and relief of pain intensity. In terms of patient acceptability and ease of administration the oral format would intuitively seem to have advantages.
Bottom Line:
There is reasonable evidence to suggest the use of oral fast dissolving piroxicam is as effective as IM diclofenac.
References:
- Supervia A, Pedro-Botet J, Nogues X et al.. Piroxicam fast-dissolving dosage form vs diclofenac sodium in the treatment of acute renal colic: a double-blind controlled trial.