Efficacy and pharmacokinetics of aspirin in post-operative dental pain.

1 Soluble aspirin, 600 mg and 1200 mg, and placebo were compared in a double-blind, cross-over study in 12 patients with post-operative pain following removal of impacted lower third molars. 2 Significant analgesia after 600 mg aspirin occurred only at 45 min after administration, whereas significant analgesia after 1200 mg aspirin occurred from 45 to 240 min. The 1200 mg dose produced greater analgesia than the 600 mg dose and is to be recommended in clinical practice. 3 Plasma concentrations of salicylate and acetylsalicylate were measured after both doses. A significant correlation (rs = 0.876, P less than 0.01) was observed between analgesia and plasma salicylate concentration after 1200 mg aspirin.