EFFICACY OF BENZYDAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE MOUTHWASH VERSUS IBUPROFEN TABLET IN POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AFTER PERIODONTAL SURGERY: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY

Background: Benzydamine hydrochloride is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) endowed with analgesic and anaesthetic activity, and with antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Its action is mainly localized primarily targets local inflammatory processes and exhibits a membrane-stabilizing effect, which contributes to its anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this clinical study was to determine the analgesic, anti- inflammatory, healing and plaque inhibiting effect of benzydamine HCl vs Ibuprofen tablets. Methods and materials: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 24 chronic periodontitis patients selected through purposive sampling. Participants undergoing periodontal surgery were assigned to either a Benzydamine hydrochloride mouthwash (MW) group or an Ibuprofen tablet (TB) group. The MW group rinsed with 15 ml undiluted solution for 60 seconds, 3–5 times daily for three days, while the TB group took 400 mg twice daily for the same duration. Pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Wong-Baker Facial Rating Scale (FRS), and gingival status was evaluated using the Gingival Index (GI) at baseline and day seven. Results: Intra-group comparison showed significant pain reduction on both VAS and Wong-Baker scales for the mouthwash group, indicating greater efficacy. Inter-group analysis also revealed significant pain relief in both groups (p<0.05). Intra-group comparison results for both groups signified the superior efficacy of the mouthwash with p- values 0.022 and 0.001 at day 1 and day 2 for the VAS scale and with p-values 0.036 and 0.002 for WBFRS scale. Conclusion: Benzydamine HCL and Ibuprofen tablets showed potential reduction in postoperative pain. Intergroup comparison showed comparison at baseline, day 1 and day 2, which suggested that both the products were effective. Intra-group comparison of pain values in both VAS and WBFRS showed significance of mouthwash group, suggesting more efficacy than the tablet.