OBJECTIVE

To compare the onset of action and efficacy of sodium ibuprofen (ibuprofen sodium dihydrate) and ibuprofen acid incorporating poloxamer (ibuprofen/poloxamer) with that of acetaminophen and placebo in patients with post-operative dental pain.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, active comparator, two-centre study assessing the analgesic efficacy of sodium ibuprofen (512 mg, equivalent to 400 mg ibuprofen acid), ibuprofen/poloxamer (containing 400 mg ibuprofen acid and 120 mg poloxamer 407), acetaminophen (1000 mg) and placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe pain after third molar extraction (n = 322). Onset of action was assessed using the two-stopwatch technique, and pain intensity and relief were measured using validated traditional descriptor scales.

RESULTS

Significantly more patients achieved confirmed perceptible pain relief and meaningful pain relief with sodium ibuprofen (96.3%, P < 0.0001) and ibuprofen/poloxamer (90.0%, P = 0.0005) than with acetaminophen (67.5%). The onset of action of both ibuprofen formulations was comparable with that of acetaminophen up to 45 min post-dose; a marked divergence in onset times in favour of the ibuprofen formulations occurred from 45 min onward. Mean values for the area under the pain relief and pain intensity differences curve (0-6 h) were significantly greater for sodium ibuprofen (3.46) and ibuprofen acid (3.49) than for acetaminophen (2.25) (P < 0.001). Other pain relief and pain intensity endpoints favoured both ibuprofen formulations over acetaminophen. Distractibility from pain (6 h) was significantly greater with the ibuprofen formulations than with acetaminophen (P = 0.008 for sodium ibuprofen; P = 0.03 for ibuprofen/poloxamer). In patients receiving ibuprofen, pain interfered less with daily activities (at 1 and 6 h) than in those receiving acetaminophen (P <or= 0.015). Both ibuprofen formulations had significantly better mean global assessment scores than acetaminophen (P < 0.001). Tolerability profiles of the ibuprofen formulations were comparable with that of acetaminophen.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with acetaminophen, sodium ibuprofen was associated with significantly greater analgesic efficacy, pain relief in a greater proportion of patients and greater patient satisfaction.