Comparison of Two Combinations of Opioid and Non-opioid Analgesics for Acute Periradicular Abscess

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul27 enrolled

Overview

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of two combinations of opioid and non-opioid analgesics for acute periradicular abscesses. Methodology: This study included 24 patients who sought emergency care in a Brazilian dental school. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Codeine/Acetaminophen - oral prescription of codeine (30 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg), every 4 h, for 3 days or Tramadol/Acetaminophen - oral prescription of tramadol hydrochloride (37.5 mg) plus acetaminophen (500 mg) on the same schedule. Patients recorded pain scores in a pain diary 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment, using the Visual Analogue Scale.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Periapical Abscess

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of Acute Periradicular Abscess * Age greater than 18 years * Spontaneous pain greater than 40 mm measured in Visual Analogue Scale (moderate to severe pain). Exclusion Criteria: * Intake of analgesics or antibiotics within 4 hours prior to emergency surgery * Allergy to the drugs used in this study * Gastric ulcer, liver or kidney disease * Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or epilepsy * Pregnancy or lactation

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Reduction of pain scores over time.

Pain scores were obtained using VAS before and after the first appointment.

Time frame: 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after first dose administration

Secondary Outcomes

Frequency of additional medication

Registered in the pain diary by the patient.

Time frame: Up to 72 hours

Adverse reactions reported by patients

Registered in the pain diary by the patient.

Time frame: Up to 72 hours