Efficacy of ibuprofen-hydrocodone for the treatment of postoperative pain after periodontal surgery.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have significant benefits in the control of postoperative pain after periodontal or oral surgical procedures. The combination of a peripherally acting NSAID with a centrally acting opioid drug is found to be more effective. The purpose of this study was to compare an alternative combination of ibuprofen 400 mg with 5 mg of hydroxycodone to ibuprofen 400 mg used alone in the management of pain following periodontal surgery.


METHODS
This study used a double-masked cross-over design with the patients acting as their own controls. Twelve patients underwent two periodontal surgeries in different quadrants of the same dental arch at least 2 weeks apart. A standardized amount of local anesthetic and similar extent and duration of surgery for each side was required. The patients received four doses of medication at predetermined intervals and filled out a visual analog pain scale every 2 hours for the first 12 hours after surgery.


RESULTS
The overall pain reported by the patients on visual analog scale was 1.55 (SE +/- 0.16), out of a possible 10. More pain was reported with ibuprofen alone, 1.81 (SE +/- 0.12), compared to the ibuprofen with hydrocodone combination, 1.30 (SE +/- 0.16). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that a combination analgesic preparation of ibuprofen (400 mg) with hydrocodone (5 mg) results in better pain control compared to ibuprofen used alone.
Mayo Clinic, Department of Dental Specialties, Rochester, MN, USA.
James W
JW
Betancourt
Leo I
LI
Kupp
Samuel J
SJ
Jasper
Owais A
OA
Farooqi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010519:Periodontium / Q000601:surgery*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006853:Hydrocodone; D007052:Ibuprofen