title: The efficacy of ketoprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) in postoperative pain after third molar surgery.
abstract: 1. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of single doses of racemic ketoprofen 12.5 and 25 mg and paracetamol 500 and 1000 mg in patients with post-operative pain after third molar surgery over a 6 h investigation period. 2. Outcome variables included overall pain scores (AUC(0,360 min), maximum pain relief, pain relief at 1 h after dosage and the number of patients taking escape analgesics. 3. Overall pain scores (AUC(0,360 min) were significantly lower for all active treatments when compared to placebo (P < 0.01). 4. Both ketoprofen treatments and patients treated with paracetamol 1000 mg reported significantly greater pain relief (P < 0.01) and a later time to taking escape analgesics (P < 0.01) than patients medicated with placebo. 5. At 1 h after dosage, pain scores were significantly less (P < 0.01) after both doses of ketoprofen when compared with placebo. 6. Single doses of ketoprofen 12.5 and 25 mg, together with paracetamol 1000 mg are effective analgesics for treating post-operative pain after third molar surgery. These treatments provide up to 4 h of pain relief after this surgical procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Seymour
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hawkesford
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007660:Ketoprofen