Relief of postoperative pain by ibuprofen: a report of two studies.

The value of ibuprofen (Motrin) as an analgesic was assessed in two consecutive studies in 425 patients with postherniorrhaphy pain. In the first study, 400 mg ibuprofen proved superior to placebo and as effective as one tablet of a compound containing 375 mg of acetylsalicylic acid, 30 mg caffeine and 8 mg codeine (ACC-8). In the second study, the analgesic effectiveness of 400 mg of ibuprofen was intermediate between that of two tablets of ACC-8 and one tablet of ACC-30 (a compound containing 375 mg ASA, 30 mg caffeine and 30 mg codeine). The side effects of all drugs were negligible. Ibuprofen should be a suitable alternative analgesic in postoperative pain of this type.