Changing Paradigms for Acute Dental Pain: Prevention Is Better Than PRN
Dionne, R.A.; Gordon, S.M.
Journal of the California Dental Association 43(11): 655-662
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 1043-2256 PMID: 26798882 Document Number: 681343
A B S T R A C T The drugs available for the management of acute orofacial pain have changed very little since the introduction of ibuprofen into practice 40 years ago. Orally effective opioids, acetaminophen, aspirin and NSAIDs remain the mainstay of analgesic therapy. Increased recognition of the societal and personal impact of opioid diversion and abuse requires re-examination of the traditional approach of prescribing an opioid-containing analgesic combination to be administered by the patient "as needed" (PRN) starting postoperatively.