Onset of Analgesia and Efficacy of Ibuprofen Sodium in Postsurgical Dental Pain: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study Versus Standard Ibuprofen

OBJECTIVES: A novel, immediate-release tablet formulation of ibuprofen (IBU) sodium dihydrate, Advil Film Coated Tablets (IBU(Na)), has been developed that is absorbed faster than standard IBU tablets. The objective of the current study was to compare the efficacy and onset of analgesia of this new formulation with standard IBU tablets after a single dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (N=316) with at least moderate baseline postsurgical dental pain were randomized to 400 mg IBU(Na), Advil (IBU(Adv)), Motrin (IBU(Mot)), or placebo. Primary endpoints were time-weighted sum of pain relief (PR) and pain intensity differences over 8 hours (SPRID 0-8) and time to onset of meaningful pain relief (TMPR) measured by the double-stopwatch method. RESULTS: SPRID 0-8 was significantly greater for IBU(Na) and the other active treatments versus placebo (P<0.001). IBU(Na) had a significantly earlier TMPR versus placebo, pooled IBU(Adv)/IBU(Mot), and IBU(Mot) (P<0.001 for all), and a marginally faster TMPR (P=0.075) versus IBU(Adv). Results for secondary endpoints were similar. Adverse events were comparable across treatment groups, with gastrointestinal disorders being most frequently reported. Most adverse events were mild or moderate. DISCUSSION: This novel formulation of IBU(Na) provided superior overall PR compared with placebo and more rapid onset of analgesic effect compared with standard IBU tablets. Rapid PR is important in the treatment of acute pain, including dental pain, and this IBU(Na) formulation represents a new treatment option for rapid PR.