Combining diclofenac with acetaminophen or acetaminophen-codeine after oral surgery: A randomized, double-blind single-dose study

In a randomized double-blind study, 120 patients with moderate to strong pa in after surgical removal of wisdom teeth were given the following in singl e oral doses: 100-mg enteric-coated diclofenac tablets; 1 g acetaminophen ( INN, paracetamol); 1 g acetaminophen plus 60 mg codeine; 100-mg enteric-coa ted diclofenac tablets plus 1 g acetaminophen; or 100-mg enteric-coated dic lofenac tablets plus 1 g acetaminophen plus 60 mg codeine, Patients recorde d pain intensity and pain relief for 8 hours, Upside assay sensitivity was confirmed because acetaminophen plus codeine was superior to acetaminophen, Diclofenac plus acetaminophen with and without codeine had superior analge sic effect compared with diclofenac, acetaminophen, or acetaminophen plus c odeine, Addition of 60 mg codeine increased the degree of side effects. The se results support the clinical practice of combining diclofenac with aceta minophen for acute pain. Of clinical importance are superior and prolonged analgesia and fewer side effects after enteric-coated diclofenac tablets pl us acetaminophen compared with acetaminophen plus codeine.