Analgesic effect of an aspirin-codeine-butalbital-caffeine combination and an acetaminophen-codeine combination in postoperative oral surgery pain.

The efficacy of an aspirin-caffeine-codeine-butalbital combination was compared to an acetaminophen-codeine combination and placebo in outpatients who had moderate or severe pain after the surgical removal of impacted third molars. Using a self-rating record, patients rated their pain, relief, anxiety and relaxation hourly for up to 6 hours after medicating. Each active medication was significantly superior to placebo for measures of analgesia and relaxation. Although the butalbital-containing combination provided consistently greater analgesia, the differences between active medications were not statistically significant. The acetaminophen-codeine combination significantly reduced anxiety; however, the butalbital containing combination did not. The results of this study suggest that female patients may have greater efficacy than male patients. All adverse effects were transitory and consistent with the known pharmacologic profiles of the study medications or the backup analgesic.