Efficacy and tolerability of nonprescription ibuprofen versus celecoxib for dental pain
Abstract
Many clinicians appear confused about the purported clinical advantages of the new generation COX-2 inhibitors compared to both over-the-counter and prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic agents (NSAIDs). Infact, there is a paucity of published information comparing the safety and efficacy of these two classes of drugs when used to treat acute pain. This study was designed to compare the safety and analgesic efficacy of an over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic, ibuprofen (Advil Liqui-Gels), to the leading prescription COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (Celebrex). Ibuprofen liquigel is an encapsulated, solubilized potassium salt of ibuprofen that has a higher Cmax and shorter tmax than traditional ibuprofen solid-dosage formulations. This trial evaluated the maximum approved OTC dosing regimen (400 mg x 3, q4-6h) of ibuprofen liquigels compared to a single dose of celecoxib (200 mg) and placebo in 174 patients with moderate orsevere pain following surgical extraction of impacted third molars. The study design was multiple dose, randomized (stratified by baseline pain and gender), placebo controlled, double blind, double dummy, and parallel group. The onset of pain relief was determined using a two-stopwatch procedure. Treatments were also compared using standard indices of pain intensity and pain relief. The study demonstrated assay sensitivity in that both active medications were significantly more effective than placebo for all efficacy measures. In comparing the two…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 174 participants or records.
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