ARE THE PHARMACOKINETICS OF IBUPROFEN IMPORTANT DETERMINANTS FOR THE DRUGS EFFICACY IN POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AFTER 3RD MOLAR SURGERY

The aim of the present placebo-controlled, crossover study was to eval uate the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen after a single ora l dose of soluble ibuprofen 400 mg in 18 patients with postoperative p ain after bilateral third molar surgery, Throughout a 5-hour investiga tion period, patients reported significantly less pain (P<0.001) after treatment with soluble ibuprofen than after placebo, Peak plasma conc entrations of ibuprofen occurred approximately 30 minutes after dosage , No significant correlations (P>0.05) were observed between efficacy measures and the various pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC(0-300), Cmax and Tmax) for ibuprofen after the soluble dose, It is concluded that a single dose of soluble ibuprofen 400 mg is an effective analgesic for the control of postoperative pain in the early period after third mol ar surgery, Efficacy of this preparation does not appear to be directl y related to the drug's pharmacokinetic variables in plasma.