Treatment of ureteral colic with diclofenac sodium

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of diclofenac sodium, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase, was compared with the efficacy of a spasmolytic agent, hyoscine butylbromide, in the treatment of 78 patients [53 men and 25 women] suffering from acute ureteral colic. Forty-two patients [group A] received diclofenac sodium intramuscularly and 36 [group B] hyoscine butylbromide intramuscularly. Both groups were comparable for weight, age and sex. Diclofenac sodium relieved the colic effect in 38 out of 42 patients [90%] within 30 min after the injection and 7 of 36 patients in the hyoscine butylbromide group [19%]. In 4 patients of group A, a second injection of diclofenac sodium, given 30 min later, completely relieved the pain within 30 min. In group A, side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and headache, occurred in 4 patients. In conclusion, diclofenac sodium, administered intramuscularly, is more effective in treating ureteral colic than hyoscine butylbromide and has fewer side effects