Analgesic onset of FA-acetaminophen in a postoperative dental impaction pain model

A recent study has shown that fast-acting acetaminophen (FA-acetaminophen) had a quicker onset of action than both commercial acetaminophen caplets (ES-acetaminophen) and commercial ibuprofen liquid-filled gelatin capsules (LG-Ibuprofen). This study findings were published in the journal, Current Medical Research and Opinion.

Two single-center, randomized, inpatient, placebo-controlled, double-blind design clinical trials were carried out utilizing the postoperative dental impaction pain model. Study 1 included 240 subjects, whereas study 2 had 420 subjects. The individuals involved in this study were between the ages of 17 and 50 and were suffering from moderate to severe pain after undergoing the surgical extraction of a minimum of three impacted third molars. The two studies evaluated four different treatment groups: 1,000 mg of FA-acetaminophen, 400 mg of LG-ibuprofen, 1,000 mg of ES-acetaminophen, and a placebo. The double-stopwatch method was used to determine the times to confirm perceptible pain relief (TCPR) and meaningful pain relief (TMPR). Pain intensity and relief were assessed using a 0-10 numerical rating scale for a duration of 6 hours after administering the drug.

The efficacy results demonstrated that all active treatments were statistically superior to the placebo. Within study 1, TCPR was significantly shorter for FA-acetaminophen in comparison to ES-acetaminophen and LG-ibuprofen. Additionally, FA-acetaminophen 1,000 mg showed a significantly shorter TMPR compared to LG-ibuprofen. In both studies 1 and 2, at the 15-minute mark post-administration of the study drug, PID and PAR scores were higher for FA-acetaminophen than LG-ibuprofen.

It can be concluded that FA-acetaminophen demonstrated a faster onset of action in comparison to both ES-acetaminophen and LG-Ibuprofen.