Ibuprofen and opioids are similarly effective for short-term relief of acute extremity pain when combined with acetaminophen, according to a JAMA study.
Some 400 adults presenting to the emergency department with moderate-to-severe acute extremity pain (e.g., from sprain or fracture) were randomized to one of four single-dose oral treatments:
- Ibuprofen (400 mg) and acetaminophen (1000 mg)
- Oxycodone (5 mg) and acetaminophen (325 mg)
- Hydrocodone (5 mg) and acetaminophen (300 mg)
- Codeine (30 mg) and acetaminophen (300 mg)
At 2 hours, pain scores had declined in all groups, with no statistically or clinically significant differences across the groups.