EVALUATION OF MELOXICAM TRANSMUCOSAL PATCHES IN DENTAL PAIN MANAGEMENT. A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE BLINDED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED PRELIMINARY STUDY

Introduction: The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Meloxicam transmucosal patches in dental pain management. Materials and Methods: Patientswith symptomatic irreversible pulpitis withoutany other pathology and experiencing moderate to severe pain on Verbal Rating Scale (VRS-4) and 4 to 10 pint score on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) were included. Transmucosalpatches, containing the meloxicam/no drug,of 1x1cm2were prepared and applied over the attached gingiva and alveolar mucosal region of offending tooth.Pain was measured before and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 mins, 1hour and 6 hours after the application of patch. Results: A total of 51 participants completed the study i.e. Meloxicam group had 26 and placebo group had 25 participants. On VRS-4 pain scale, at the end of the study 1(4%) participantin meloxicam group had moderate pain, while in the placebo group 2(8%) participants had severe pain and 10(40%) participants had moderate pain. On NRS-11 scale, meloxicam group showed 86.65% (5.29 ± 0.94point) pain reduction compared to placebo group which had 45.10% (2.76 ± 0.18point) pain reduction (P<0.01). Three participants reported bitter taste of very mild intensity during the patch application for few mins. No other discomfort were reported. Conclusion: The application of meloxicam containing transmucosal patch, is safe and efficacious alternate to oral administration, for the management of dental pain.