Pharmacology · single question
A patient is having an alveoloplasty. What is the MOST appropriate analgesic regimen for post-operative pain?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Acetaminophen 600mg + Ibuprofen 400mg (multimodal)
C) Acetaminophen 600mg + Ibuprofen 400mg — CORRECT.
Current evidence strongly supports multimodal analgesia combining acetaminophen + NSAIDs (ibuprofen) as superior to opioids for acute dental/surgical pain, with fewer side effects. This combination provides synergistic pain relief by acting on different pathways (central vs. peripheral). The combination is now the standard of care for most post-operative dental pain.
A) Opioids as first line: NOT recommended for routine post-operative dental pain — opioids carry addiction risk, are not superior to the APAP+NSAID combination, and should be reserved for when non-opioid analgesia fails.
B) Opioid combinations: Still involves opioid risk.
D) APAP 250mg alone: Insufficient dosing; adult analgesic dose is 500–1000mg, and mono-therapy is less effective than the combination.
Current evidence strongly supports multimodal analgesia combining acetaminophen + NSAIDs (ibuprofen) as superior to opioids for acute dental/surgical pain, with fewer side effects. This combination provides synergistic pain relief by acting on different pathways (central vs. peripheral). The combination is now the standard of care for most post-operative dental pain.
A) Opioids as first line: NOT recommended for routine post-operative dental pain — opioids carry addiction risk, are not superior to the APAP+NSAID combination, and should be reserved for when non-opioid analgesia fails.
B) Opioid combinations: Still involves opioid risk.
D) APAP 250mg alone: Insufficient dosing; adult analgesic dose is 500–1000mg, and mono-therapy is less effective than the combination.