A single dose assessment of an ibuprofen/codeine combination in postoperative dental pain

In a double-blind, single dose study of analgesic efficacy, 202 patients who had undergone lower 3rd molar extraction were divided into 5 groups to receive aspirin, placebo, ibuprofen, codeine, or an ibuprofen/codeine combination. Ibuprofen 200 mg (with or without codeine phosphate 15 mg) and aspirin 600 mg were significantly superior to either placebo or codeine phosphate 15 mg alone. Codeine phosphate at a dose of 15 mg was ineffective as an analgesic either alone or in combination.