Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges for treating sore throat symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Aim: This study assessed multiple doses of flurbiprofen8.75 mg lozengesfor the relief of three prominent symptoms of acute pharyngitis: pain intensity (primary end point), difficulty swallowingand swollen throat. Patients & methods: A total of 204 patients (102 in each group) with confirmed pharyngitis(onset ≤4 days) were randomly assigned to take up to five flurbiprofenor placebo lozengesevery 3–6 h, for 7 days. Using validated rating scales ( sore throatpain intensity, difficulty swallowingand swollen throat) patients rated their symptoms for the duration of the study. Results: Over the first 24 h, patients treated with flurbiprofen lozengesreported significantly greater reductions in sore throatpain (47%) as well as difficulty swallowing(66%) and swollen throat(40%) compared with placebo (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Multiple doses of flurbiprofen lozengesprovide effective relief of sore throatpain intensity as well as difficulty swallowingand swollen throat.