title: Ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain relief during medical abortion: a double-blind randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the efficacy of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug vs. paracetamol in pain relief during medical abortion and to evaluate whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs interfere with the action of misoprostol.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective double-blind controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty women who underwent first-trimester termination of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received 600 mg mifepristone orally, followed by 400 microg of oral misoprostol 2 days later. They were randomized to receive ibuprofen or paracetamol when pain relief was necessary. Patients completed a questionnaire about side effects and pain score and returned for an ultrasound follow-up examination 10-14 days after medical abortion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Success rates, as defined by no surgical intervention, and pain scores were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ibuprofen was found to be statistically significantly more effective for pain relief after medical abortion compared with paracetamol. There was no difference in the failure rate of medical abortion, and the frequency of surgical intervention was slightly higher in the group that received paracetamol (16.3% vs. 8.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ibuprofen was found to be more effective than paracetamol for pain reduction during medical abortion. A history of surgical or medical abortion was predictive for high pain scores. Despite its anti-prostaglandin effects, ibuprofen use did not interfere with the action of misoprostol.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Livshits
authors: Ronit
authors: R
authors: Machtinger
authors: Liat Ben
authors: LB
authors: David
authors: Maya
authors: M
authors: Spira
authors: Aliza
authors: A
authors: Moshe-Zahav
authors: Daniel S
authors: DS
authors: Seidman
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; 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; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000082:Acetaminophen; D007052:Ibuprofen