Analgesic Efficacy Of Diclofenac Versus Ibuprofen After Third Molar Surgery

Objectives: This study aimed to collect information on the efficacy, onset of action and duration of action of single dose of diclofenac 100 mg compare to ibuprofen 400 mg for pain relief in patients after impacted third molar surgery. Methods: This randomized double-blinded clinical trial was performed in sixty Lao patients undergoing lower third molar removal. Patients were divided into two groups and randomly assigned to treat with either diclofenac 100 mg or ibuprofen 400 mg. Patients rated their pain intensity (PI) and pain relief (PR) by using visual analog scale (VAS) for 12 hours. They started to take medication when they had at least moderate to severe pain. Onset of action was determined by mean of 2-stopwatch method. Duration of action was determined by the time that patients requested rescue medication. Results: The onset of analgesia for meaningful pain relief (MPR) of ibuprofen (64 ± 26.1minutes) was faster than diclofenac (83 ± 21.1minutes) (p<.05). Duration of analgesia of diclofenac and ibuprofen were 406 ± 54.19 minutes and 422 ±44.3minutes respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in duration of analgesia between diclofenac and ibuprofen groups (p>.05). Patients reported no significant differences in analgesic efficacy between diclofenac 100 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg. Conclusion: The duration and pain relief of diclofenac100 mg and ibuprofen 400 mg to control pain after impacted third molar surgery were found to be comparable. The onset of analgesia of ibuprofen was faster than diclofenac.