The efficacy of ketoprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) in postoperative pain after third molar surgery

1A 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.

2Outcome 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.

3Overall pain scores (AUC(0,360 min) were significantly lower for all active treatments when compared to placebo (P<0.01).

4Both 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.

5At 1 h after dosage, pain scores were significantly less (P<0.01) after both doses of ketoprofen when compared with placebo.

6Single 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.

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1996.34015.x

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