[Management of postoperative pain in stomatology with ibuprofen L-arginine and naproxen].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this prospective, randomized study is to compare the efficacy and safety of ibuprofen L-arginine and naproxen in the treatment of postoperative dental pain.


METHODS
Seventy patients undergoing removal of impacted third molars were randomly allocated to receive 4 hours after surgery a single oral dose of either ibuprofen L-arginine 400 mg or naproxen 550 mg. Ten patients dropped out from the study because they took the study drug before the allowed time. Using a self-rating record, patients rated their pain and its relief for 1 hour after the drug administration. Remedication, if needed, and mean time of remedication were also recorded.


RESULTS
A statistically significant reduction in pain scores with respect to the baseline values was recorded 5 minutes and 15 minutes after the drug administration in the ibuprofen L-arginine and in the naproxen-treated group, respectively. The summed pain intensity difference (SPID) over 60 minutes resulted significantly higher in the ibuprofen L-arginine than in the naproxen-treated group. A complete abolition of pain 60 minutes after medication was obtained in 12/28 patients (42.9%) in the ibuprofen L-arginine and in 5/32 patients (15.6%) in the naproxen-treated group, respectively (p = 0.04). Number of patients requiring remedication, mean time of remedication and drug related adverse effects did not significantly differ in the two treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Global evaluation of the drugs by the patients showed ibuprofen more effective drug than naproxen.
Polati
E
E
Centro di Terapia del Dolore, Ospedale Policlinico di Verona, Università degli Studi, Verona.
Finco
G
G
Salgarelli
A
A
De Santis
D
D
Gilli
E
E
Barzoi
G
G
Gottin
L
L
Ischia
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014081:Tooth Extraction
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009288:Naproxen; D001120:Arginine; D007052:Ibuprofen