NSAIDs beat codeine for post-op pain: study
Pain levels are lower at six and 12 hours post procedure, say Canadian researchers
NSAIDs work better and have fewer side effects than codeine for managing postoperative pain in adults, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis.
The Canadian researchers analysed data from 40 randomised controlled trials comparing codeine and NSAIDs for postoperative pain in 5,116 outpatients.
The research included comparisons of NSAID analgesic efficacy with various types, selective and nonselective NSAIDs, with various surgical procedures and at various time horizons between six hours and seven days.
They found patients taking NSAIDs had more reduced pain scores at six hours and at 12 hours compared with codeine.
