Tramadol/paracetamol.
The orally administered fixed combination tablet of tramadol (centrally-acting opiate) plus paracetamol (acetaminophen; nonopiate, nonsalicylate analgesic) [37.5/325 mg] provides effective analgesia in patients with moderate to severe acute pain and those with chronic painful conditions characterised by intermittent exacerbations of pain. Two tramadol/paracetamol 37.5/325 mg tablets provided greater relief of dental pain over an 8-hour period than either agent alone, with a faster onset of action than tramadol alone and a longer duration of action than either agent as monotherapy. In patients with postoperative dental pain, two tramadol/paracetamol tablets (37.5/325 mg) provided similar analgesia to hydrocodone/paracetamol 10/650 mg over an 8-hour period. The addition of one or two tramadol/paracetamol 37.5/32 5mg tablets (up to four times daily) for 5 days to existing NSAID or cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor analgesic therapy provided effective pain relief in patients with osteoarthritis flare pain. Tramadol/paracetamol 37.5/325 mg provided similar efficacy to that of codeine/paracetamol 30/300 mg in patients with chronic back pain in a 4-week, randomised, double-blind trial (a maximum of 10 tablets or capsules per day of the active drug).
Adis International Limited, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.
Karen
K
McClellan
Lesley J
LJ
Scott
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014147:Tramadol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000082:Acetaminophen; D014147:Tramadol