COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TRAMADOL VERSUS TAPENTADOL IN ACUTE OSTEOARTHRITIC KNEE PAIN: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL

Authors

  • Soundharya Moorthy mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.
  • Sudar Codi mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.
  • Surendher Kumar mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.
  • Manimekalai Kumarappan mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.

Abstract

Objectives: Osteoarthritis of knee, a common disorder of elderly, has multifaceted pain mechanisms. Newer opioids such as tramadol and tapentadol
target those multiple pain mechanisms, with few studies that compare them. We compared the efficacy and safety of tramadol versus tapentadol in
acute episodes of osteoarthritic knee pain on 100 patients, 50 in each group.
Methods: Group A received tramadol 50 mg twice daily for a period of 1-week, and Group B received tablet tapentadol 50 mg twice daily for a
period of 1-week. Pain and function were evaluated by numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC)
questionnaire and scored during the initial baseline visit before the start of treatment. The efficacy of the drugs was evaluated at the end of 1
week
follow-up by repeating the NPRS and WOMAC questionnaire. Adherence to medication was emphasized, and side effects of the drugs were evaluated
by Naranjo's scale. The data were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics, namely, mean, standard deviation, and median. Non-parametric
tests, namely, Mann–Whitney test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and parametric tests such as unpaired t-test and paired t-test were used wherever
applicable. All patients completed the study.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the total WOMAC scoring between the two groups: Tramadol and tapentadol. However,
tapentadol provided statistically significant pain relief compared to tramadol as measured by the NPRS. Both the groups tolerated the drugs well.
There was no incidence of any adverse effects.
Conclusion: Hence, both the drugs are efficacious in treating an acute painful episode of osteoarthritic knee pain and can be safely prescribed to the
patients.
Keywords: Tapentadol, Tramadol, Newer opioids.
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Author Biographies

Soundharya Moorthy, mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.

III YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT

Sudar Codi, mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN PHARMACOLOGY

Surendher Kumar, mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.

PROFESSOR IN PHARMACOLOGY

Manimekalai Kumarappan, mahatma gandhi medical college and research institute, pondicherry.

PROFESSOR & HOD IN PHARMACOLOGY

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Table 2: Comparison of the efficacy variables between

the groups

Study parameters Baseline visit versus end

of 1

NPRS 0.001

WOMAC score

+

st

week

Group 2 versus

Group 1

(tapentadol vs.

tramadol)

Group 1

(tramadol)

Pain 0.312

Stiffness 0.000

Difficulty in function 0.017

Total score 0.000

Statistically significant p<0.05.

a

+a

c

+a

+c

+c

Group 2

(tapentadol)

454

002

454

003

001

a

+c

a

+c

+c

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b

037

058

000

740

131

Mann–Whitney

test,

c

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d

b

d

+b

d

d

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Published

01-05-2016

How to Cite

Moorthy, S., S. Codi, S. Kumar, and M. Kumarappan. “COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF TRAMADOL VERSUS TAPENTADOL IN ACUTE OSTEOARTHRITIC KNEE PAIN: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIAL”. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, vol. 9, no. 3, May 2016, pp. 253-6, https://mail.innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ajpcr/article/view/11161.

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