[Postoperative pain: comparative study of the analgesic effect of sodium naproxen and paracetamol]

Pain after extraction of two antagonistic third molars was chosen to compare the analgesic effects of single doses of naproxen-sodium (825 mg) and paracetamol (1 000 mg). 124 patients of both sexes, aged from 14 to 41 years, took part in the trial which was of the double blind double dummy type with randomization into one or the other treatment. In all, 89 patients were acceptable for inclusion and followed the protocol correctly. The two treatment groups were statistically matched with regard to age, diagnosis, time of surgery and post-operative drug taking. The results were assessed by the patients on individual report-cards and by the clinician on the control visit. The analgesic effect began at the same time with naproxen-sodium and paracetamol but lasted longer (over 12 hours) with naproxen-sodium. During the 12-hour observation period, 43% of patients on naproxen-sodium refrained from taking an escape drug, as against 23% of patients on paracetamol, the difference being significant (alpha = 5%). Complete pain relief was obtained in 41% of patients under naproxen-sodium and in only 18% of patients under paracetamol. Two side-effects were noted in the paracetamol group and none in the naproxen-sodium group. In this particular pain model, the analgesic activity of naproxen-sodium proved statistically stronger and more durable than that of paracetamol.