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Open Access 01-12-2008 | Original

Tolerability and efficacy of a combination of paracetamol and caffeine in the treatment of tension-type headache: a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over study versus placebo and naproxen sodium

Authors: Luigi Alberto Pini, Enrico Del Bene, Giorgio Zanchin, Paola Sarchielli, Girolamo Di Trapani, Maria Pia Prudenzano, Giovanni LaPegna, Lidia Savi, Giorgio Di Loreto, Paolo Dionisio, Franco Granella

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 6/2008

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to confirm in an Italian population affected by tension-type headache (TTH) the good profile of safety and tolerability of the combination paracetamol 1,000 mg–caffeine 130 mg (PCF) observed in previous studies, by a comparison with naproxen sodium 550 mg (NAP) and placebo (PLA). A secondary objective was to assess the efficacy of PCF in the acute treatment of TTH. This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, crossover, placebo-controlled trial. Tolerability was assessed by recording adverse events by the patient in the 4-h post-dose treatment. To assess the efficacy, the sum of pain intensity differences (SPID) and the total pain relief (TOTPAR) were calculated. Comparing PCF and NAP and PCF and PLA for tolerability, the difference was nonsignificant but the result regarding noninferiority was inconclusive, whilst NAP was noninferior to PLA. As regards SPID and TOTPAR, both PCF and NAP were better than placebo (P < 0.05), but not significantly different from each other. In conclusion, PCF was well-tolerated and effective in the treatment of acute TTH.

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Title: Tolerability and efficacy of a combination of paracetamol and caffeine in the treatment of tension-type headache: a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over study versus placebo and naproxen sodium
Authors: Luigi Alberto Pini
Enrico Del Bene
Giorgio Zanchin
Paola Sarchielli
Girolamo Di Trapani
Maria Pia Prudenzano
Giovanni LaPegna
Lidia Savi
Giorgio Di Loreto
Paolo Dionisio
Franco Granella
Publication date: 01-12-2008
Publisher: Springer Milan
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 6/2008
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10194-008-0071-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Tolerability and efficacy of a combination of paracetamol and caffeine in the treatment of tension-type headache: a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over study versus placebo and naproxen sodium

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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