Significant, long-lasting pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea with low-dose naproxen sodium compared with acetaminophen: a double-blind, randomized, single-dose, crossover study.

Objectives: Many women experience menstrual cramps, which adversely affects quality-of-life. Both naproxen and acetaminophen are indicated to relieve menstrual pain. This study assessed the analgesic efficacy of a single, maximum non-prescription dose of naproxen sodium compared with that of acetaminophen in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.Methods: Healthy females with primary dysmenorrhea were included in our double-blind, randomized, crossover study (trial registration no. NCT03448536). When pain was moderate (≥5 on 0-10 numerical rating scale), subjects took a single dose of naproxen sodium (440 mg) and crossed over to acetaminophen (1000 mg) in the next cycle, or vice versa. Total pain relief over 12 h (TOTPAR0-12) was the primary outcome, while secondary outcomes included summed pain intensity differences (SPID) and TOTPAR scores throughout 12 h, and subject overall evaluation of treatment.Results: The per protocol population (n = 189) used naproxen sodium (n = 170) and acetaminophen (n = 160). TOTPAR0-12 was significantly greater with naproxen sodium than acetaminophen (least-squares (LS) mean difference = 4.31; p < .001), and pain intensity was significantly lower (SPID0-12 LS mean difference = 9.80; p < .001). Some measures of pain intensity favoring naproxen sodium became significant at earlier time points (e.g. SPID4-6 LS mean difference = 1.49; p = .02). After 6 h post-dose, naproxen sodium was significantly more effective than acetaminophen, maintained for 12 h (SPID6-12 LS mean difference = 8.27; TOTPAR6-12 LS mean difference = 3.75; both p < .001). Significantly more subjects rated naproxen sodium as good-to-excellent (70.6%) vs acetaminophen (63.1%) (p = .002).Conclusions: A single, maximum non-prescription dose of naproxen sodium was more effective than acetaminophen over 12 h.

A review of the role of soluble fiber in health with specific reference to wheat dextrin.

Dietary fiber is widely recognized to have a beneficial role in overall health, but only at adequate levels (25 - 38 g/day for healthy adults). Wheat dextrin in particular is a soluble fiber that can easily be added to the diet and is widely used in the food industry. There is some debate about whether increased intake of soluble fibers leads to health benefits. This paper reviews the evidence regarding the physiological effects and potential health benefits of the addition of soluble dietary fibers, with specific reference to wheat dextrin, based on a search of PubMed. The evidence suggests that soluble fibers help to regulate the digestive system, may increase micronutrient absorption, stabilize blood glucose and lower serum lipids, may prevent several gastrointestinal disorders, and have an accepted role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is concluded that supplementation with soluble fibers (e.g. wheat dextrin) may be useful in individuals at risk of a lower than recommended dietary fiber intake.