Changing the Prescription Paradigm

In a recent continuing education lecture I attended, it was proposed and investigated in an article by Mark Donaldson PharmD, FASHP and Jason Goodchild DMD that a combination of over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications was more effective in mild to moderate acute dental pain relief than the use of prescribed opioid narcotic medications.

The combination of:
1g Acetaminophen (2 extra strength 500mg Tylenol) + 600mg nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS (3 200mg Advil)
often showed faster onset, longer duration, and pain relief at multiple sites of action.

This will potentially change the way doctors prescribe drugs, eliminate potential risks, and reduce the amount of narcotic abuse that is seen in the industry. Of course, doctors should be aware of the potential safety concerns of analgesic medications and their effects when taken in conjunction with other medications.
As always, consult your dentist or doctor before taking any medications.