A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of single doses of racemic ketoprofen 12.5 and 25 mg and paracetamol 500 and 1000 mg in patients with post-operative pain after third molar surgery over a 6 h investigation period. 2. Outcome variables included overall pain scores (AUC(0,360 min), maximum pain relief, pain relief at 1 h after dosage and the number of patients taking escape analgesics. 3. Overall pain scores (AUC(0,360 min) were significantly lower for all active treatments when compared to placebo (P < 0.01). 4. Both ketoprofen treatments and patients treated with paracetamol 1000 mg reported significantly greater pain relief (P < 0.01) and a later time to taking escape analgesics (P < 0.01) than patients medicated with placebo. 5. At 1 h after dosage, pain scores were significantly less (P < 0.01) after both doses of ketoprofen when compared with placebo. 6. Single doses of ketoprofen 12.5 and 25 mg, together with paracetamol 1000 mg are effective analgesics for treating post-operative pain after third molar surgery. These treatments provide up to 4 h of pain relief after this surgical procedure.
