Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and side effects of meperidine and tenoxicam, either alone or in combination for the pain management of trauma patients.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, single-dose, randomized, double-blind study in trauma patients (age≥16) with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) 15, stable hemodynamics and initial visuel analog scale (VAS) score of 50 mm or higher. Sixty patients were randomized to one of the three treatment groups. All patients vital signs, VAS scores and adverse events were recorded before the drug administrations and at 15, 30, 60 minutes of applications.
Results: The mean initial VAS for meperidin, tenoxicam and meperidin + tenoxicam groups were 83±13, 82±15 and 76±15, respectively. The mean final VAS for these gruops were 5.0±1.8, 4.9±2.2 and 4.3±2.3, respectively. The decreases of VAS for all groups and time periods were statistically significant and there were not any significant difference between the groups. Furthermore, no serious adverse events were observed.
Conclusion: In conclusion, in addition to it’s advantages like rendering possible intravenous administration and not having direct effects on vital functions, tenoxicam is as effective as meperidine for acute severe pain.