EFFECTS OF NAPROXEN SODIUM ON MENSTRUAL PROSTAGLANDINS AND PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (3) , 285-291
Abstract
Prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGF2.alpha. in the menstrual fluid from 12 patients with primary dysmenorrhea were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Each patient was studied for 3 cycles, using vaginal tampons issued for this study. All tampons were collected individually for PG extraction and RIA. Severity of dysmennorhea and clinical response to treatment were evaluated by a scoring method and by the patients'' self-assessment. Each patient in this double-blind cross-over study had a control cycle and 2 treatment cycles with naproxen sodium tablets (275 mg) or placebo in random order. The treatment regimen was 2 tablets at the 1st sign of menses followed by 1 tablet 4 times daily for 3 days. Nine patients obtained good to excellent relief from naproxen sodium, but no relief from the placebo. Two patients had moderate to good response to both naproxen and placebo, and 1 patient showed no response. Naproxen therapy but not placebo therapy sharply reduced menstrual PGF2.alpha. and PGE2 release. There was a positive correlation between menstrual PG levels and the severity of dysmenorrhea. Symptomatically, naproxen sodium was most effective in alleviating severe menstrual cramps but had little effect on mild cramps. It was also effective in ameliorating many but not all of the subjective symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Relief of dysmenorrhea was apparent within 1 h after the initial dose, attained maximum level in 2 h and was maintained throughout therapy.