Analgesic Effect of Topical Piroxicam vs Phytotherapy Gel in the Treatment of Acute Soft Tissue Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Noninferiority Study

Abstract Objective The study compared the efficacy and tolerability of piroxicam gel and a new topical combination of medicinal plant products (Soulagel®; Belpharma Tunisia) to treat pain caused by soft tissue injuries. Methods Patients (n = 1,525) were assigned to receive piroxicam gel or Soulagel. Efficacy assessments included a change of at least 50% in the pain-on-movement visual numeric scale rating from emergency department discharge (baseline) to day 7 final assessment, as well as the time required to reach pain resolution criteria, the need for rescue analgesia, patients’ satisfaction, and the rate of adverse effects. Results At day 7, 1,216 patients (79.7%) achieved at least 50% reduction in visual numeric scale rating from baseline: 623 patients (82.4%) in the Soulagel group vs 593 patients (77.1%) in the piroxicam group (P = 0.01). Time to decrease pain on movement by 50% was significantly higher with piroxicam gel than with Soulagel (34 ± 1 vs 33 ± 1 days, respectively; P = 0.54). At day 7, 96.4% of patients in the Soulagel group declared being “very satisfied” to “satisfied,” vs 68% in the piroxicam group (P < 0.001). There were no major adverse events in either group. Conclusions Soulagel is not inferior to piroxicam gel for managing pain related to a soft tissue injuries. Further studies will help ascertain whether this new gel offers an alternative treatment option for this common emergency department condition.