Objective: To determine the effectiveness of isosorbide dinitrate in combination with tenoxicam compared with tenoxicam alone for the relief of acute renal colic.
Patients and methods: Fifty patients with acute renal colic were randomly and in a double blind fashion divided into two treatment groups of 25 each. Group 1 received tenoxicam (40 mg intravenously) and group 2 received tenoxicam (40 mg intravenously) plus sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (5 mg). The patients were compared for visual pain scores, heart rate and blood pressure between and within the groups before and after treatment.
Results: Comparing the groups, group 2 had significantly lower pain scores after treatment (P < 0.05) but no other variables were significantly different (P > 0.05 for each). Within the groups the pain scores were significantly lower after treatment in both groups (P < 0.05). Group 2 also had a significantly lower heart rate and blood pressure after treatment (P < 0.05). There were no side-effects caused by tenoxicam and isosorbide dinitrate in either group.
Conclusion: The use of tenoxicam alone or combined with isosorbide dinitrate was effective in relieving of renal colic, but the relief obtained with the combination was significantly greater than tenoxicam alone.