A multi-centre general practice study evaluating the efficacy and tolerance of ibuprofen in common painful conditions

An open, multi-centre study in general practice was carried out in 1842 patients presenting with non-serious painful conditions to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of ibuprofen. Patients received daily doses ranging from 400 mg to 2400 mg for up to 1 month; most took between 1200 mg and 1600 mg per day for about 1 week. Assessments of pain severity on a visual analogue scale showed that 82% of patients with moderate to severe pain derived benefit from treatment, the analgesic effect of a dose often lasting up to 6 hours. The best response was seen in patients with dysmenorrhoea and dental pain, and although headache was less responsive than other painful conditions the overall rate of positive results for this diagnosis reached 75% in the opinion of both physicians and patients. Approximately 14% of patients reported side-effects, mostly gastro-intestinal with abdominal pain predominating.