A comparison between meptazinol and dextropropoxyphene plus paracetamol in elderly patients with musculoskeletal pains

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Abstract
The efficacy and acceptability of meptazinol and dextropropoxyphene plus paracetamol were compared in 32 elderly patients with various types of musculoskeletal pain. A double-blind crossover technique was used. After at least 1 week in hospital, the previous analgesic treatment was stopped and single-blind placebo was given for I day. Patients then received, at random, 5-days' treatment with either 200 mg meptazinol 4-times daily or 65 mg dextropropoxyphene plus 650 mg paracetamol 4-times daily before being crossed over to the alternative medication for a further 5 days. If necessary, up to 4 tablets a day were allowed of 500 mg aspirin plus 50 mg caffeine as a ‘rescue’ analgesic. Assessments were made before (on placebo) and at the end of each treatment period of pain severity and effect on patients' sleep, and details recorded of ‘rescue’ analgesic consumption and any side-effects. At the end of the trial, an overall assessment was made of the effectiveness and tolerance of each treatment and patients were asked which they preferred. The results showed that both treatments reduced pain severity significantly for all the parameters measured; however, most patients needed additional pain relief. Few side-effects were reported during either treatment period.