Combination therapy with ibuprofen and methadone for chronic cancer pain.

This randomized double-blind crossover study compares the narcotic methadone alone with methadone in combination with the peripherally acting, antiprostaglandin agent ibuprofen (Motrin, Upjohn) in 28 patients with moderate to severe cancer-related pain, who were already using a narcotic for pain relief. Results show that the addition of 600 mg of ibuprofen to either 2.5 or 5 mg of methadone significantly increased analgesia, without concomitantly increasing side effects or euphoria.