Analgesic efficacy of paracetamol/codeine and paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene in pain after episiotomy and ruptures in connection with childbirth.

Pain after episiotomy and/or perineal/vaginal rupture in childbirth is severe in many patients and in most cases it can be treated with oral analgesics. In this trial the efficacy and side-effect profile of two combination analgesics, paracetamol/codeine and paracetamol/dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, were compared in post-partum pain after episiotomy and/or rupture of the perineum. Eighty-five patients were analysed for efficacy and 96 were included in an analysis of side-effects. Paracetamol/codeine was shown to give faster and more efficient pain relief while not causing constipation or other troublesome side-effects.