Oral pentazocine and phenazocine: A comparison in postoperative pain

Abstract

Orally administered pentazocine (Fortral) and phenazocine (Narphen) were compared for analgesia and side effects in a single-dose study of 284 patients with postoperative pain. Pain was assessed separately by patients and observers. Patients who were in moderate pain experienced better pain relief with pentazocine 75 mg than phenazocine 5 mg at 1 hour. There was a trend throughout for observers to assess pain as less severe when compared to the opinion of the patients. The incidence of side effects was low with both drugs. Pentazocine is a useful postoperative analgesic which is free from DDA restrictions. © 1971 John Sherratt & Son Ltd.