Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of transdermal diclofenac patch against oral diclofenac for post-endodontic pain control.
Materials and methods: Thirty-two patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in single-rooted premolar teeth of either arch were treated endodontically in a single visit by a single endodontist. Oral diclofenac (50 mg twice daily) for group I and transdermal diclofenac patch (100 mg once daily) for group II were administered as post-endodontic analgesics for two days. Visual analogue scale (VAS) chart was used to record pain intensity scores preoperatively and at intervals of 4, 8, 12 and 24 h postoperatively for 2 days. Paracetamol 650 mg tablets were provided as rescue medication.
Results: There was a significant decrease in the postoperative pain intensity scores for both groups. The postoperative scores gradually decreased from day 1 to day 2 in both groups. Twelve out of sixteen patients who had received diclofenac tablets complained of gastric discomfort.
Conclusion: Transdermal diclofenac patch was as effective as an oral diclofenac tablet and can be used as an alternative and effective analgesic for post-endodontic pain management, especially in patients with gastric discomfort.
Keywords: Diclofenac; post-endodontic pain; transdermal patch.