nalbuphine and Dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea may be due to excessive prostaglandin synthesis; therefore, drugs which inhibit prostaglandin production may be of value in treating dsymenorrhea. The effectiveness of various analgesics and antiarthritic protaglandin inhibiting drugs in treating dysmenorrhea is reviewed. Several clinical trials indicate that ibuprofen and mefenamic acid are more effective in reducing mild and moderate dysmenorrhea than aspirin. Side effects associated with ibuprofen use included gastrointestional and visual disturbances, and those associated with mefenamic acid were gastrointestional and hematological toxicity. Some anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis also inhibit prostaglandin production and have been evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in treating dysmenorrhea. Clinical trials of indomethacin and naproxen indicate these drugs to provide relief from dysmenorrhea. A number of negative side effects are associated with prolonged use of indomethacin. Naproxen is not currently available in the United States. Some physicians have found that administering prostaglandin drugs prior to the onset of menstruation enhances their effectiveness. Other physicians advise against this practice and administer the drugs only after menstruation begins in order to rule out the possibility of pregnancy. The effect of these drugs on the fetus is unknown. Larger clinical trials and studies of the long term effects of using these drugs are needed.

Topics: Acetaminophen; Aspirin; Dysmenorrhea; Female; Humans; Ibuprofen; Indomethacin; Mefenamic Acid; Nalbuphine; Naproxen; Time Factors