Double-blind, randomized trial of piroxicam and codeine in cancer pain

Abstract A randomized, three-arm parallel study was performed to evaluate the acute analgesic potency and tolerance of a single oral dose of 40 mg piroxicam, 60 mg codeine, and a combination of 20 mg piroxicam and 30 mg codeine in 90 patients with chronic pain due to cancer. Thirty patients were randomized to each group. Pain intensity and pain relief were assessed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours after dosing using a four-point analog scale. At the end of the study period, both the patient and the observer gave a global impression of the efficacy of the therapy. Volunteered side effects and their severity were noted. The results indicated that the sum of the pain intensity differences was not statistically significant between the three groups (analysis of variance). For the overall evaluation of the efficacy, speed of action, and side effects, no statistically significant differences were seen between the three treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that piroxicam may be of value in the treatment of some types of cancer pain.