Double-Blind Oral Analgesic Study of Butorphanol in Musculoskeletal Pain: A Comparison with Codeine and Placebo

Abstract

Butorphanol tartrate (4 mg and 8 mg) was compared to codeine phosphate (60 mg) and placebo for oral analgesic activity and side-effects employing a double-blind design in ninety-three out-patients suffering from moderate to very severe musculoskeletal pain. The study duration was 72 hours with medication administered every 4 to 6 hours (four times daily) for a total of twelve doses per patient. The results demonstrate that both the 4 mg and 8 mg doses of butorphanol were significantly better (p<0.05) than placebo. While codeine 60 mg also proved active, it appears to be less efficacious than the high dose of butorphanol. The peak effect appeared to be evident in 1 to 2 hours. Butorphanol may be at least seven times more potent than codeine on a milligram basis. Although no serious side-effects were observed, butorphanol appeared to present a greater incidence of side-effects than codeine and placebo in this study.