Analgesic efficacy of a combination of hydrocodone with ibuprofen in postoperative pain

Two randomized, double-blind, parallel-group single-dose 2 x 2 factorial an algesic studies compared a single-dose or a 2-tablet dose of a combination of 7.5 mg hydrocodone bitartrate with 200 mg ibuprofen with each constituen t alone and with a placebo in women with moderate or severe postoperative p ain from abdominal or gynecologic surgery. A nurse-observer recorded patien t reports of pain intensity and pain relief periodically for 8 hours. In bo th studies, the combination was significantly superior to placebo for sum o f the pain intensity differences (SPID), total pain relief (TOTPAR), peak p ain intensity difference (PID) and pain relief, global evaluation, and time to remedication, The combination was likewise significantly superior to bo th hydrocodone and ibuprofen for most of these summary measures of analgesi a. In a factorial analysis, both the hydrocodone and ibuprofen effects were significant for most summary measures of analgesia, whereas results of the interaction contrast were consistent with the concept that the analgesic e ffect of the combination represents the additive analgesia of its 2 constit uents.