The efficacy of acetaminophen-caffeine compared to Ibuprofen in the control of postoperative pain after periodontal surgery: a crossover pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies showed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have significant benefits in the control of pain after periodontal surgery. Acetaminophen (centrally acting NSAID) is believed to provide less analgesic efficacy than ibuprofen (centrally and peripherally acting NSAID). This study compared an alternative combination of acetaminophen, 500 mg, with caffeine, 30 mg, to ibuprofen, 400 mg, in pain management after periodontal surgeries.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, double-masked crossover clinical trial was conducted on 15 patients. Open flap debridement was performed on two quadrants with a 3-week interval in between. Each quadrant was randomly assigned to acetaminophen, 500 mg, with caffeine, 30 mg, or ibuprofen, 400 mg, immediately after surgery and 8 hours after the first dose. Postoperative pain was assessed during the first 8 hours and on the following day using the 101-point numeric rate scale (NRS-101) and the four-point verbal rating scale (VRS-4).


RESULTS
Using the NRS-101, the acetaminophen-caffeine group showed statistically significantly lower mean pain scores than the ibuprofen group at 1 and 2 hours (P = 0.002), whereas at 6, 7, and 8 hours, the ibuprofen group showed statistically significantly lower mean pain scores (P <0.001). Using the VRS-4, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at all periods (P >0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Acetaminophen, 500 mg, with caffeine, 30 mg, can be used efficiently in controlling postoperative pain after open flap debridement, especially in patients with gastric ulcers or bleeding tendency because acetaminophen is less hazardous than ibuprofen.
Rashwan
Weam A M
WA
Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. weamrashwan@yahoo.com
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000601:surgery; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003646:Debridement; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000601:surgery; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000082:Acetaminophen; D002110:Caffeine; D007052:Ibuprofen