Multi-modal analgesia is desirable for the management of acute pain since it can provide effective pain relief at lower doses, thereby aiding tolerability. Co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib (CTC) provides effective analgesia in models of acute pain. Co-crystallization can alter the pharmacokinetics of individual components, potentially improving tolerability. We sought to better understand the safety and tolerability of CTC in patients with acute postoperative pain. We conducted a pooled analysis of safety data from three phase 3 randomized controlled trials in adults with acute moderate-to-severe pain following oral surgery, bunionectomy, and elective abdominal hysterectomy. We present data for CTC 200mg twice daily (BID) and its comparators: tramadol 50mg four times daily (QID) (one trial), tramadol 100mg QID (two trials), celecoxib 100mg BID (two trials), and placebo (three trials). In total, n=551 patients received CTC 200mg BID, n=183 received tramadol 50mg QID, n=368 received tramadol 100mg QID, n=388 received celecoxib 100mg BID, and n=274 received placebo. The prevalence of adverse events (AEs) related to study drug up to 48h was numerically lower with CTC 200mg BID (35.9%) than with tramadol 50mg QID (47.5%) and 100mg QID (44.8%) but greater than with celecoxib 100mg BID (12.4%) and placebo (20.4%). The most frequent AEs related to study drug up to 48h were somnolence, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting, which occurred more frequently in patients receiving tramadol 100mg QID than in those receiving CTC 200mg BID. CTC 200mg BID appears to be better tolerated than tramadol 100mg QID, possibly because of reduced total exposure to tramadol. This may contribute to a more favorable benefit-risk profile for CTC versus individual components, making it a promising treatment for acute pain. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT03108482, NCT02982161 (EudraCT: 2016-000592-24), NCT03062644 (EudraCT: 2016-000593-38).
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