Compared with pentazocine monotherapy, rectal diclofenac plus pentazocine was found to be better in relieving pain after elective cesarean section among pregnant women.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to estimate postsurgery relief in pain after using rectal diclofenac + intramuscular pentazocine in comparison with intramuscular pentazocine monotherapy in people undergoing cesarean section (C-section).

Overall, 200 pregnant women that had cesarean section were recruited and randomly segregated into 2 groups. Group A subjects were either administered rectal diclofenac (100 mg) every 12 hours + pentazocine (30 mg) every 6 hours and subjects in group B were administered pentazocine (60 mg) every 6 hours.

The level of pain estimated utilizing a visual analogue scale (VAS) was the major endpoint ascertained. Requirement for rescue analgesia and level of satisfaction with relief in pain were the secondary outcome ascertained.

Compared with group B patients, a remarkable satisfaction and better pain alleviation over the 48 hours post-surgery were observed in subjects in group A, as shown in Table 1:

Contrasted to group A, more requirement of rescue analgesia for breakthrough pain was seen in group B.

Combined use of diclofenac and pentazocine was associated with better satisfaction level and pain management in the first 48 hours after cesarean in comparison with pentazocine monotherapy. Hence, this combination must be routinely recommended for eligible females after cesarean delivery.