Effectiveness of commonly used analgesics in dentistry, double blind study. Phase I

Studies were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of commonly prescribed analgesic drugs for the relief of postoperative pain. The present report describes the results of studies evaluating the analgesic effects of codeine plus aspirin, dextropropoxyphene compound 65 mg, aspirin and placebo. Two hundred patients presenting for outpatient oral surgery and periodontal surgery were randomly allocated to four groups. Following surgical procedures patients were given the medications identified only by number, and a checklist to indicate postoperative pain levels and subsequent relief following ingestion of medication at given time intervals: patients were seen at 24-48 hour postoperative intervals. Analysis of various and Duncan multiple range tests showed the experimental medications differed significantly from the placebo in relief obtained but not from each other. Significantly, more side effects were seen from use of dextropropoxyphene compound and codeine plus aspirin than from aspirin or placebo alone. The average number of capsules taken was approximately 6 or 3 doses. These findings suggest that aspirin is as effective in pain relief as the other experimental drugs. In addition, the total number of capsules prescribed was 4 times the necessary amount.