Analgesic efficacy of an ibuprofen-codeine combination in patients with pain after removal of lower third molars.
A double-blind, randomised analgesic trial was carried out in 165 patients undergoing surgical removal of one impacted lower wisdom tooth. In a two-dose regimen, the analgesic efficacy of the combination ibuprofen-codeine 200 mg : 30 mg was compared with that of acetylsalicylic acid-codeine 500 mg : 30 mg and codeine 30 mg. Each dose was taken when the patient needed pain relief. The intensity of the pain was measured on a visual analogue scale during the 10-h period after the first dose. The mean pain reduction by Dose 1 in patients on ibuprofen-codeine, acetylsalicylic acid-codeine and codeine was 64%, 45% and 26%, respectively, and the mean duration of effect was 8.3, 6.3 and 5.6 h. According to the pain reduction, duration of effect and pain reduction index after Doses 1 and 1 + 2, there was a significant difference between ibuprofen-codeine and the other two drugs. The maximum pain reduction within 4 hours was 84% with ibuprofen-codeine. This was significantly different from the reduction achieved both with acetylsalicylic acid-codeine (64%) and codeine (35%). Seventeen patients reported adverse events: 5 on ibuprofen-codeine, 4 on acetylsalicylic acid-codeine and 8 on codeine. The most common events were tiredness and vertigo. It is concluded that the combination ibuprofen-codeine 200 mg : 30 mg had greater analgesic efficacy compared to the combination acetylsalicylic acid-codeine 500 mg : 30 or codeine 30 mg in patients with pain after removal of the lower third molars.
Hellman
M
M
Department of Oral Surgery, Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jököping, Sweden.
Ahlström
U
U
Andersson
L
L
Strid
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia; D001241:Aspirin; D003061:Codeine; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery
D004338:Drug Combinations; D001241:Aspirin; D003061:Codeine; D007052:Ibuprofen