Ibuprofen better for OA pain
A French clinical trial has shown that OTC doses of ibuprofen are more effective than paracetamol in relieving pain in patients with osteoarthritis (Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:1028-34).

The IPSO study (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol Study in Osteoarthritis) randomised 222 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (70 percent) or hip (30 percent) to treatment with ibuprofen 400 mg or paracetamol 1,000 mg, each taken three times daily. Six hours after the first dose, ibuprofen reduced pain scores by significantly more. After 14 days, ibuprofen was associated with significantly greater reduction in pain intensity, stiffness and pain and significantly greater physical functioning. There was no difference in adverse effects.

Ibuprofen was therefore the more effective analgesic in single or multiple doses (though the total daily dose of paracetamol was lower than is used in the UK). The authors conclude that ibuprofen has a superior efficacy/tolerability ratio.

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