The comparison of the therapeutic effects of piroxicam gel and oral vitamin E in cyclic mastalgia

Abstract

Cyclic mastalgia is a common condition among women. There are different methods in reducing pain in such patients, but there is yet no consensus in this regard. This study aims to compare the therapeutic effects of topical piroxicam gel and oral vitamin E in patients with cyclic mastalgia. Seventy females with mild to moderate cyclic mastalgia were recruited from an outpatient clinic in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The patients received either topical 0.5% Piroxicam gel four times daily or vitamin E 400IU capsules once daily for two consecutive months. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to report pain one and two months later. Thirty-five patients completed the study in each group. Although both medications were effective and safe in reducing pain severity, topical piroxicam led to a significantly better pain control outcome. Almost half the patients required analgesics five months after the study stopped. In conclusion, comparing topical piroxicam gel and oral vitamin E in patients with cyclic mastalgia showed that the former is more efficient in pain control in mid-term. Both medications were safe and well-tolerated.

Keywords

• Mastalgia
• NSAIDs
• Vitamin E

References

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