Publication:

Oral diclofenac potassium versus hyoscine-N-butyl bromide for pain relief during copper intrauterine device insertion: randomized clinical trial

Background Present study was carried out to compare the analgesic effect of oral diclofenac potassium versus hyoscine-N-butyl bromide (HBB) for pain relief during copper intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

Methods It was a a randomized clinical trial carried out at Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt. Parous women eligible for Copper IUD insertion were recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to diclofenac potassium or HBB. The participants were asked to take 2 tablets of the study medications 30 minutes before IUD insertion. The primary outcome was the participant's self-rated pain perception using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during IUD insertion. We considered a 1.5 cm difference in VAS scores between study groups as clinically significant.

Results One hundred eight women were enrolled (n=54 in each group). Diclofenac significantly has lower mean pain score during speculum placement (1.73 vs. 2.13) and tenaculum placement (1.85 vs. 2.3) than HBB with p<0.001. No statistical significant differences between both groups in other steps of IUD insertion. Additionally, the duration of IUD insertion was significantly lower in the diclofenac group (5.34±0.76 vs. 5.74±1.23 minutes, p=0.045). No women reported side effects in both groups.

Conclusions The use of oral diclofenac potassium 30 minutes prior to copper IUD insertion slightly reduce the insertional pain and duration than oral HBB with no adverse effects.