Abstract
Objective To compare the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and diclofenac in post-operative pain.
Data sources A search of the following databases, Medline 1966–1996, Embase 1980–1997, Cochrane Library August, 1996, Oxford Pain relief database 1950–1994, together with reference lists and textbooks, using a detailed search strategy.
Study selection Only full journal publication of double–blind studies with randomly allocated adult patients receiving postoperative oral administration for treatment of moderate to severe pain baseline pain (equates to > 30mm on a visual analogue scale, VAS), using acceptable pain measures.
Results Thirty-four reports of 35 trials met the criteria, (25 dental) for ibuprofen versus placebo, six for diclofenac versus placebo (five dental) and two direct comparisons between diclofenac and ibuprofen both for dental pain.
Conclusion No difference was seen in efficacy of the single dose of ibuprofen compared with that of diclofenac; choosing between the two is a matter of safety and cost.
Collins S, Moore A, McQuay HJ, Wiffen PJ. Oral ibuprofen and diclofenac in post-operative pain: a quantitative systematic review. Eur J Pain 1998; 2:285–291
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Supported by grants from NHSR&D Health Technology Evaluation Programme (#93/31/4 and #94/11/4), European Union Biomed 2 BMH4 CT95 0172and Pain Research funds.
Address for reprints: Dr A Moore, Pain Research and Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics, University of Oxford, Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust, The Churchill, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LJ, UK.
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Moore, P. No difference between the single dose efficacy of ibuprofen and diclofenac. Evid Based Dent 2, 37 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400024