Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Etoricoxib Versus Ibuprofen in the Treatment of Dysmenorrhea (MK-0663-145 AM1)

A Phase III, Randomized, Active-Comparator-Controlled, 2-period, Crossover, Double-Blind Study in China to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Etoricoxib 120 mg Versus Ibuprofen up to 2400 mg (600 mg Q6h) in the Treatment of Patients With Primary Dysmenorrhea

This is a study to determine the overall analgesic effect of a single oral dose of etoricoxib compared to ibuprofen in participants with moderate-to-severe primary dysmenorrhea.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Dysmenorrhea
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Etoricoxib; Drug: Ibuprofen; Drug: Placebo to etoricoxib; Drug: Placebo to ibuprofen; Drug: Acetaminophen 250 mg, isopropylantipyrine 150 mg and anhydrous caffeine 50 mg

Detailed Description

Participants who meet all the study entry criteria will be randomly allocated to 2 possible sequences of the 2 treatment regimens over the course of 2 menstrual cycles.

In treatment sequence 1, participants will receive etoricoxib 120 mg daily in menstrual cycle 1, and ibuprofen up to 2400 mg/daily in menstrual cycle 2. In treatment sequence 2, participants will receive ibuprofen up to 2400 mg/daily in menstrual cycle 1 and etoricoxib 120 mg daily in menstrual cycle 2.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 139
• Phase: Phase 3

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Agree to remain abstinent or use double-barrier contraception throughout the study. Participants who are status post tubal ligation are exempt from this requirement.
• Moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea during a minimum of 4 of the previous 6 menstrual cycles. Moderate: Over-the-counter analgesics provide significant relief in most menstrual cycles; discomfort interferes with usual activity. Severe: Over-the-counter analgesics not consistently effective, or prescription analgesics required in at least some menstrual cycles; discomfort is incapacitating causing an inability to work or do usual activity.
• Willing to limit alcohol intake to 2 drinks or equivalent per day for the duration of the study and follow-up period as well as to avoid exercise during the first 24 hours postdose in each menstrual cycle.
• Able to read, understand, and complete diary.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of an intrauterine device. Pregnant, breast feeding, or <6 weeks postpartum.
• Active gastric ulcer or history of inflammatory bowel disease.
• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or renal disease.
• Class II-IV congestive heart failure.
• Coronary artery bypass graft surgery, angioplasty, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months.
• Unstable angina.
• Mild, moderate, or severe hepatic insufficiency.
• Any personal or family history of an inherited or acquired bleeding disorder.
• History of neoplastic disease; Exceptions: 1)adequately treated basal cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix; 2) other malignancies which have been successfully treated > or equal to 5 years prior to screening. Participants with a history of leukemia, lymphoma, malignant melanoma, and myeloproliferative disease are ineligible for the study regardless of the time since treatment.
• Allergic to etoricoxib, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, indomethacin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors, or to components in Saridon (propyphenazone/paracetamol/caffeine).
• Recent history of chronic analgesic or tranquilizer use or dependence.
• Morbidly obese and demonstrates significant health problems stemming from the obesity.
• Current user of recreational or illicit drugs or had a recent history of drug or alcohol abuse or dependence.
• Participated in another clinical study within the last 4 weeks.
• Not able to swallow oral medications: surgical or anatomical conditions that will preclude from swallowing and absorbing oral medications on an ongoing basis.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Etoricoxib+placebo ibuprofen then placebo etorcoxib+ibuprofen; Participants will receive one tablet (active or placebo etoricoxib) and 3 capsules (active or placebo ibuprofen) as their first dose of study medication in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. They can also take 3 capsules (active or placebo ibuprofen) up to 3 times more per day in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2.	Drug: Etoricoxib; Etoricoxib 120 mg tablet given orally for one dose.; Drug: Ibuprofen; Ibuprofen 600 mg (three 200-mg capsules) given orally up to four times a day as needed, for a maximum of 2400 mg/day.; Drug: Placebo to etoricoxib; Placebo to etoricoxib, one tablet.; Drug: Placebo to ibuprofen; Placebo to ibuprofen, up to four 3-capsule doses.; Drug: Acetaminophen 250 mg, isopropylantipyrine 150 mg and anhydrous caffeine 50 mg; Provided to participants as rescue medication. Participants may take 2 tablets at a time and up to 3 doses within 24 hours for rescue purposes.; Other Names: Saridon
Experimental: Ibuprofen+placebo etoricoxib then etoricoxib+placebo ibuprofen; Participants will receive one tablet (active or placebo etoricoxib) and 3 capsules (active or placebo ibuprofen) as their first dose of study medication in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. They can also take 3 capsules (active or placebo ibuprofen) up to 3 times more per day in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2.	Drug: Etoricoxib; Etoricoxib 120 mg tablet given orally for one dose.; Drug: Ibuprofen; Ibuprofen 600 mg (three 200-mg capsules) given orally up to four times a day as needed, for a maximum of 2400 mg/day.; Drug: Placebo to etoricoxib; Placebo to etoricoxib, one tablet.; Drug: Placebo to ibuprofen; Placebo to ibuprofen, up to four 3-capsule doses.; Drug: Acetaminophen 250 mg, isopropylantipyrine 150 mg and anhydrous caffeine 50 mg; Provided to participants as rescue medication. Participants may take 2 tablets at a time and up to 3 doses within 24 hours for rescue purposes.; Other Names: Saridon

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Total Pain Relief Score Over the First 6 Hours (TOPAR6) After the Initial Dose	TOPAR6 was calculated by multiplying the pain relief (PR) score (0- to 4-point scale, with 0=None, and 4=Complete for pain relief) at each time point by the duration (in hours) since the preceding time point, and summing these weighted values up to 6 hours post the initial Day 1 dose. The range of TOPAR6 score is 0 to 24, with increasing scores indicating greater pain relief.	Baseline and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sum of Pain Intensity Difference Scores Over the 6-Hour Time Period (SPID6)	The Pain Intensity Difference (PID) score is the difference between the baseline pain intensity (PI) score and the PI score recorded at each time point post initial dose, as calculated by subtracting the pain intensity at each of the subsequent time points from the baseline pain intensity score; therefore, it is on a -1 to 3 scale, with a large value representing a greater treatment effect. SPID6 is derived by multiplying the PID score at each time point by the duration (in hours) since the preceding time point, and summing these weighted values up to 6 hours and it is on a scale of -6 to 18.	Baseline and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours
Mean Participant Global Evaluation of Pain at 6 Hours After the Initial Dose (GLOBAL6)	The GLOBAL6 was recorded by the participant at 6 hours (or at the time of rescue medication use) after taking the first dose of study medication. The GLOBAL6 uses a pain relief scale of 0 to 4, where 0 = poor pain relief, 1 = fair pain relief, 2 = good pain relief, 3 = very good pain relief, and 4 = excellent pain relief.	6 hours
Mean Participant Global Evaluation of Pain at 24 Hours After the Initial Dose (GLOBAL24)	The GLOBAL24 was recorded by the participant at 24 hours (or at the time of rescue medication use) after taking the first dose of study medication. The GLOBAL24 uses a pain relief scale of 0 to 4, where 0 = poor pain relief, 1 = fair pain relief, 2 = good pain relief, 3 = very good pain relief, and 4 = excellent pain relief.	24 hours
Mean Time to >=1 Unit Improvement From Baseline in Pain Intensity During the 6 Hours After the Initial Dose	The time to a change from baseline in pain intensity score of >=1 unit on the pain intensity scale was calculated. The pain intensity scale rates participant pain on a scale of -1 to 3, with larger values associated with greater treatment effect.	Baseline and 6 hours
Peak Pain Intensity Difference (PID) During the 6 Hours After the Initial Dose	Peak PID during the 6 hours post initial dose is defined as the maximum PID score recorded during first 6 hours after the initial dose of study medication. PID is evaluated on a scale of -1 to 3, with larger values representing a greater treatment effect.	Baseline and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours
Peak Pain Relief (Peak PR) During the 6 Hours After the Initial Dose	Peak PR during the 6 hours post initial dose is defined as the maximum PR score recorded during the first 6 hours after the initial dose of study medication. PR is recorded on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 = no pain relief, 1 = little pain relief, 2 = some pain relief, 3 = a lot of pain relief, and 4 = complete pain relief.	Up to 6 hours
Number of Participants Using Rescue Medication 24 Hours After the Initial Dose	Acetaminophen 250 mg, isopropylantipyrine 150 mg and anhydrous caffeine 50 mg (Saridon) was provided to each participant as rescue medication. Participants were permitted to take 2 tablets at a time and up to 3 doses within 24 hours of dosing of study drug for rescue purposes.	24 Hours
PID at Up to 12 Hours Following the Initial Dose	PID during the 12 hours following the initial dose is defined as the maximum PID score recorded during first 12 hours after the initial dose of study medication. PID is evaluated on a scale from 0 to 3, with 0 = no pain, 1 = slight pain, 2 = moderate pain, and 3 = severe pain.	Baseline and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12 hours
PR at Up to 12 Hours Following the Initial Dose	PR during the 12 hours following the initial dose is defined as the maximum PR score recorded during the first 12 hours after the initial dose of study medication. PR is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 = no pain relief, 1= a little pain relief, 2 = some pain relief, 3 = a lot of pain relief, and 4 = complete pain relief.	Up to 12 hours
PID at Up to 24 Hours Following the Initial Dose	PID during the 24 hours following the initial dose is defined as the maximum PID score recorded during first 24 hours after the initial dose of study medication. PID is evaluated on a scale from 0 to 3, with 0 = no pain, 1 = slight pain, 2 = moderate pain, and 3 = severe pain.	Baseline and 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 20 and 24 hours
PR at Up to 24 Hours Following the Initial Dose	PR during the 24 hours following the initial dose is defined as the maximum PR score recorded during the first 24 hours after the initial dose of study medication. PR is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 = no pain relief, 1= a little pain relief, 2 = some pain relief, 3 = a lot of pain relief, and 4 = complete pain relief.	Up to 24 hours
Number of Participants With a Global Evaluation of Study Medication of Good, Very Good, or Excellent at 6 Hours After the Initial Dose	At 6 hours following the initial dose. participants were asked to rate their perception of pain control as poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent. The number of participants that reported good, very good, or excellent pain control at 6 hours post initial dose were summed.	6 hours
Number of Participants With a Global Evaluation of Study Medication of Good, Very Good, or Excellent at 24 Hours After the Initial Dose	At 24 hours following the initial dose of study medication, participants were asked to rate their perception of pain control as poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent. The number of participants that reported good, very good, or excellent pain control at 24 hours post initial dose were summed.	24 Hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Organon and Co

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Yu Q, Zhu X, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Li X, Hua Q, Chang Q, Zou Q, Di W, Yao Y, Yu W, Liu J, Mehta A, Yan L. Etoricoxib in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in Chinese patients: a randomized controlled trial. Curr Med Res Opin. 2014 Sep;30(9):1863-70. doi: 10.1185/03007995.2014.925437. Epub 2014 Jun 30.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: November 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Actual): June 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 27, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 27, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): October 31, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 9, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 7, 2022
• Last Verified: February 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Menstruation Disturbances; Pelvic Pain; Dysmenorrhea; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Analgesics; Sensory System Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antirheumatic Agents; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Antipyretics; Purinergic Antagonists; Purinergic Agents; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Acetaminophen; Ibuprofen; Caffeine; Etoricoxib
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0663-145