Oral analgesic efficacy of suprofen compared to aspirin, aspirin plus codeine, and placebo in patients with postoperative dental pain

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of single oral doses of suprofen 200 and 400 mg, compared with aspirin 650 plus codeine 60 mg, aspirin 650 mg, and placebo in the relief of moderate to severe pain resulting from the surgical removal of impacted third molars. 157 patients completed a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, stratified, parallel-groups trial, and were observed for at least 4 h. Based upon each of the summary efficacy measures, sum pain intensity difference (SPID), percent SPID, TOTPAR and a global evaluation, all four active treatments were approximately equally effective and all were statistically superior to placebo. In addition, suprofen at both dose levels was significantly more effective than placebo beginning at the 0.5-hour observation for mean pain intensity, whereas the two aspirin treatments were not superior to placebo until the 1-hour observation. Side effects were minimal; there was one in the suprofen 200 mg, three in the aspirin 650 mg, and one in the placebo treatment group. Thus, it appears that suprofen at 200 and 400 mg is a safe and effective oral analgesic for the relief of moderate or severe postoperative dental pain, and it is possible that compared to aspirin 650 mg and aspirin 650 mg plus codeine 60 mg, it has a more rapid onset of action.