COMPARATIVE SAFETY AND EFFICACY EVALUATION OF IBUPROFEN WITH PARACETAMOL VERSUS ETORICOXIB ALONE FOR PAIN AFTER TOOTH EXTRACTION: A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of ibuprofen with paracetamol versus etoricoxib alone in patients who experienced acute pain after tooth extraction. Materials and methods: A total of 80 patients were recruited and randomised to two study groups, IP and E on ibuprofen 400mg with paracetamol325mg and etoricoxib 60 mg alone for three days. The analgesic efficacy was assessed by visual analogue scale, pain relief score, and global evaluation score. Patients were assessed at 0, 6, 24, 48 & 72 hr. Safety was assessed by the Patient’s estimation of the severity of adverse drug reaction using a 3-point scale and the type of adverse drug reactions reported by the patients after 72 hrs. Results: Mean pain intensity reduction, mean pain relief score, and global evaluation score all showed comparable analgesic efficacy results in group E as compared to group IP. No patient had reported any serious adverse drug reaction in either group. Mild to moderate adverse reactions were reported in both the group; however, the incidence of GIT intolerance was seen only in the IP group. Conclusion: Etoricoxib alone is safer alternative of commonly prescribed ibuprofen with paracetamol combination in pain after tooth extraction.