Comparison of oral diclofenac transdermal patch versus oral diclofenac sustained release tablet as a post-operative analgesia following orthodontic extractions of premolar teeth

Abstract

Aim: This study was performed to compare the degree of post operative analgesia, patient compliance, and frequency of adverse events with the use of oral diclofenac tablets and transdermal diclofenac patch following multiple premolar extractions in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Thirty young pre-orthodontic patients requiring bilateral maxillary and mandibular first premolar extractions were selected for the study. The right maxillary and mandibular first premolars were extracted first and 100mg oral diclofenac sodium sustained release tablets were prescribed to be taken thrice a day for three days. In the next appointment, the contralateral first premolars were extracted and a 100 mg transdermal diclofenac patch was applied once a day for three days. Pain relief and pain intensity with both the diclofenac formulations was recorded for each of using5-point Verbal Pain Intensity and Pain Relief Score Charts.Results and Conclusions: Statistical analyses revealed that there was a gradual increase in pain relief scores and a gradual decrease in pain intensity scores with the use of oral diclofenac tablets as well as with the transdermal patch.