OTC Medications More Effective Than Opioids for Dental Pain, Study Finds
OTC Medications More Effective Than Opioids for Dental Pain, Study Finds
A new study suggests that over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers—acetaminophen and ibuprofen—are more effective than opioids for managing dental pain after wisdom tooth extraction.
Key Findings:
- Patients who took an acetaminophen/ibuprofen combo reported less pain, better sleep, and higher satisfaction compared to those prescribed hydrocodone (an opioid).
- Breakthrough pain was lower in the OTC group, especially in the first two days after surgery.
- Those not given opioids were 46% less likely to fill a new opioid prescription within six months.
Why This Matters:
- Dentists are among the top opioid prescribers in the U.S., writing over 8.9 million prescriptions in 2022.
- For many young adults, dental procedures are their first exposure to opioids, which can increase the risk of addiction.
- The American Dental Association now recommends that opioids should not be the first option for pain relief.
What’s Next?
Researchers hope to expand their study to see if OTC medications are equally effective for other dental procedures and types of pain management.
Source: US News