Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Jun 2022
Randomized Controlled TrialAnalgesic efficacy of naproxen sodium versus hydrocodone/acetaminophen in acute postsurgical dental pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Opioid/acetaminophen combinations may be overly prescribed in many post-surgical situations where a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with equal or greater efficacy, fewer central nervous system side effects, and no risk for opioid abuse could be substituted. We compared a single, non-prescription dose of naproxen sodium 440 mg (NapS) against hydrocodone plus acetaminophen 10/650 mg (HYD+APAP) in post-impaction surgery pain. ⋯ In moderate-to-severe postsurgical dental pain, a single dose of NapS was at least as effective as HYD+APAP in the early hours, significantly more effective at reducing pain intensity and providing greater pain relief over 12 hours, and was better tolerated. When not contraindicated, NapS should be considered a preferred alternative to opioid combinations for acute pain. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04307940; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04307940).