Efficacy and tolerability of lumiracoxib in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea

Two randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, 3-way crossover studies1 were performed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the novel COX-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. Subjects with moderate-to-severe dysmenorrhoea received lumiracoxib 400 mg once daily (od), rofecoxib 50 mg od and placebo (Study 1; n = 84) or lumiracoxib 400 mg od, naproxen 500 mg twice daily and placebo (Study 2; n = 99). For the primary variable, summed pain intensity difference from 0 to 8 h on day 1 (SPID-8), all active treatments were superior to placebo in each study (p < 0.001); lumiracoxib was comparable to rofecoxib and naproxen. For PID (categorical scale), all active treatments were significantly better than placebo from 2 to 12 h; lumiracoxib was generally comparable to rofecoxib and naproxen. All treatments were well tolerated. Lumiracoxib 400 mg is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea, with efficacy comparable to rofecoxib and naproxen.