A Study of Analgesic Efficacy of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac Sodium in Acute Pulpitis Patients

Aim: Ibuprofen400mg and Diclofenac Sodium 50mg marketed today inhibit Cox-1 and Cox-2 and have selectivity for Cox-1. Ibuprofen 400mg is an established analgesic in the management of acute dental pain. Diclofenac Sodium 50mg is also used in the management of acute pain, but there are very few studies comparing its analgesic efficacy with Ibuprofen. Materials and Method: A double blind randomized study was carried out to compare the analgesic efficacy, safety and potency of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac Sodium in acute pulpitis patients with moderate to severe pain. 60 patients with acute pulpitis were enrolled in the study and Ibuprofen 400mg and Diclofenac Sodium 50mg were randomly given to them. Self-administered questionnaire was given to the patients and they were asked to note the intensity of initial pain on Visual analogue scale. Results: Time of onset of action of drugs, Time to peak effect, Total analgesic effect and tolerability of the drugs were assessed. From the present study it was found that there were statistically significant differences in the onset of action of drug and Time to peak effect. Onset of action was early in Ibuprofen and Time to peak effect was early in Diclofenac sodium. Patients rated both drugs to be equally good on Global evaluation scales. Conclusion: It was found that Diclofenac Sodium is more potent compared to Ibuprofen.