The Efficacy of Oral Etoricoxib in Pain Control During Colposcopy-Directed Cervical Biopsy: A Randomized Control Trial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of oral etoricoxib administration before colposcopic procedure for pain relief during and after colposcopy. METHODS: A prospective double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at the colposcopy unit of Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand from August 2022 to January 2023. The participants were women undergoing colposcopy. They were allocated into two groups: etoricoxib group and control group. Thirty minutes prior to colposcopy, the participants received etoricoxib or placebo tablet. A numerical rating scale was used to evaluate pain upon speculum insertion, 3% acetic acid application, directed cervical biopsy (CDB), endocervical curettage (ECC), and 10 minutes and 24 hours after colposcopy. RESULT: One hundred and ten women were recruited and were divided equally into study and control groups. The mean age of participants was 42.6 years old. One-fourth of cases (29/110) had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more histology. Subjects in etoricoxib group had less median pain scores during CDB, ECC, and 10-minute and 24-hour post procedure than the control group with statistical significance. Both groups had comparable side effects. CONCLUSION: Administration of oral etoricoxib 30 minutes before colposcopy could reduce pain during and up to 24-hour post colposcopy with minimal side effects.