Fixed-dose Combination of Etoricoxib + Cyclobenzaprine for Pain Relief After Third Molar Extraction in Brazil

Etoricoxib and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride are active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) already registered in the country as mono-drugs. These products are widely used for the proposed indications, and their safety and efficacy profiles are known in daily clinical practice. Once the absence of a pharmacokinetic interaction between etoricoxib and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride has been confirmed in relative bioavailability studies, this phase 3 study will be conducted for demonstrating the superiority of the new FDC over etoricoxib 90 mg (Arcoxia®) and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 15 mg (XL - Mitrul®) in the treatment of moderate to serious pain associated with muscle spasm. The purpose is to provide a new, effective, and safe therapeutic option to address these cases. Etoricoxib and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride are active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) already registered in the country as mono-drugs. These products are widely used for the proposed indications, and their safety and efficacy profiles are known in daily clinical practice. Once the absence of a pharmacokinetic interaction between etoricoxib and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride has been confirmed in relative bioavailability studies, this phase 3 study will be conducted for demonstrating the superiority of the new FDC over etoricoxib 90 mg (Arcoxia®) and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 15 mg (XL - Mitrul®) in the treatment of moderate to serious pain associated with muscle spasm. The purpose is to provide a new, effective, and safe therapeutic option to address these cases.

The investigational drug consists of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) that contains etoricoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic action, and cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, a myorelaxant, in doses of 90 mg and 15 mg, respectively, in the dosage form of a prolonged-release hard capsule. This product is an unprecedented FDC in the country, and is indicated for the short-term treatment of moderate to serious acute pain associated with muscle spasm. Pain management with analgesic drugs, such as NSAIDs and other adjuvant drugs, is common in daily clinical practice. In parallel with its additive effect on pain relief, the FDC of an anti-inflammatory and myorelaxant agent seeks to assist in greater control of associated musculoskeletal symptoms, such as inflammatory processes, limited range of motion, and muscle spasms.

Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Comparative Superiority clinical trial. Patients aged between 18 and 35 years with indication for surgical removal of an impacted lower third molar and an antagonistic upper third molar will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive the FDC of etoricoxib 90 mg + cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 15 mg from Eurofarma Laboratórios SA (investigational drug), in capsules, or the mono-drugs etoricoxib 90 mg (Arcoxia®), in tablets, or cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride 15 mg (XL - Mitrul®), in capsules, for up to three (03) days. Participants whose surgery lasts a maximum of 80 minutes (counted from the initial incision to the extraction of the third molars) and who present moderate to serious postoperative pain up to a maximum of four (04) hours will be randomized. The first administration of study treatment will be made at the study center when post-surgical pain reaches moderate/serious intensity (≥ 40 mm on visual analogue scale \[VAS\] 0-100 mm). The participants will be instructed, from then on, to use the study treatment, respecting a minimum interval of twenty-four (24) hours between doses taken for three (03) days.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients of both sexes who meet all of the following criteria will be included in the study:

* Age between 18 and 35 years (inclusive).
* Presence of at least one lower third molar with partial or total bone inclusion (occlusal surface partially or completely covered by bone tissue) with indication for surgical removal (diagnosis made by panoramic radiograph taken within the six \[06\] months prior to study enrollment), in a vertical, mesioangular or horizontal position according to the Winter classification1,provided they belong to the following Pell \& Gregory classes2:

  * Impacted lower third molar in vertical or mesioangular position: may be included, as long as it belongs to Pell \& Gregory classes Ia, Ib, IIa or IIb;
  * Lower third molar impacted in a horizontal position: may be included, as long as it belongs to Pell \& Gregory classes Ia, Ib or IIa.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who meet at least one of the following criteria will be excluded from the study:

* Presence of previous inflammatory and/or infectious oral lesion with indication for the use of anti-inflammatory agent and/or antibiotic therapy.
* Presence of any oral lesion in the region of the third molar to be extracted that may contraindicate extraction, at the discretion of the dental team (for example, pericoronitis, periodontitis, cysts, among others).
* Smoking\* \*Any use of tobacco, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited during the study. In the case of the participant who occasionally smokes, he/she must be willing not to use tobacco throughout his/her participation in the study.