ACTIVITY 3

To identify Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Literature regarding an assigned clinical/research

question.

Assigned topic: <Is Flurbiprofen more efficacious then aspirin in the treatment of postsurgical
dental pain>?
INFORMATION RETRIEVED THROUGH PRIMARY LITERATURE:
We searched the primary literature on PubMed using key words “flurbiprofen and aspirin in dental pain”
and found 3 research articles, all are single-dose double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical
trials, but the most recent and relevant research was done by Cooper et al,1986.
Flurbiprofen, aspirin and placebo groups were observed for 4-6 hours (1). 25 and 50 mg
flurbiprofen, 650mg aspirin and placebo (lactose) were given to 164 outpatients undergoing surgical
removal of 3rd molars and had at least moderate post-operative pain with ages in between 18-24 years
(1). All active treatments were preferable to placebo (1). Both dosages of flurbiprofen had quick
onset, competent, and longer activity than aspirin (1)(2). Flurbiprofen was more efficient and effectiive
as compared to aspirin (3).

After searching primary literature, it can be concluded that fluribiprofen has more efficacy than aspirin in
post-surgical dental pain.
REFERENCES:
(1) Cooper, S. A., & Mardirossian, G. (1986). Comparison of flurbiprofen and aspirin in the relief of
postsurgical pain using the dental pain model. The American journal of medicine, 80(3), 36-40.

(2) Mardirossian, G., & Cooper, S. A. (1985). Comparison of the analgesic efficacy of flurbiprofen and
aspirin for postsurgical dental pain. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 43(2), 106-109.

(3) Giglio, J. A., & Campbell, R. L. (1984). The prophylactic use of flurbiprofen to prevent post-
extraction dental pain. Anesthesia progress, 31(2), 74.

INFORMATION RETRIEVED THROUGH SECONDARY LITERATURE:

We searched the secondary literature on Google Scholar using key words “flurbiprofen and aspirin in
dental pain review” and found 2 relevant systemic reviews, both included single-dose double blind
randomized placebo controlled clinical trials. Search strategies used for eligible reports were MEDLINE,
ENBASE Cochrane Library and OPRD
According to Analgesic dose-response of aspirin, higher doses give more analgesia (1). Single-
dose aspirin 600 and 650 mg produced significantly more drowsiness and gastric irritation than placebo;
about 1 patient in 40 will have gastric irritation from its single dose (1). In contrast flurbiprofen 50 and
100 mg is effective in moderate to severe acute post-operative pain and relief 65 to and 70% pain (2).
Efficacy is similar to commonly used NSAIDS at even standard doses (2). Adverse events were uncommon
and not considerably different from placebo (2).

After searching secondary literature, it can be concluded that fluribiprofen is better than aspirin in post-
surgical dental pain
REFERENCES:
(1) Sultan, A., McQuay, H. J., Moore, R. A., & Derry, S. (2009). Single dose oral flurbiprofen for acute
postoperative pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (3).

(2) Edwards, J. E., Oldman, A. D., Smith, L. A., Carroll, D., Wiffen, P. J., McQuay, H. J., & Moore, R. A.
(1999). Oral aspirin in postoperative pain: a quantitative systematic review. Pain, 81(3), 289-297.

INFORMATION RETRIEVED THROUGH TERTIARY LITERATURE:

We searched the tertiary literature on google or books and found that:
The main benefit of flurbiprofen over aspirin is that there are lower chances of adverse effects in G.I.T.
We have a wellbeing tolerance with flurbiprofen than aspirin.
Larger doses are necessary for aspirin to relief pain while in flubiprofen smaller doses are
recommended so there are considerable chances of toxicity with aspirin.
As aspirin half-life is 0.25 hour and flurbiprofen is 3-4 hours so this is also a reason behind more
efficiency of flurbiprofen.
So we conclude that flurbiprofen is more effective than aspirin
REFERENCES:
(1) Laurence, D. R., Bennett, P. N., & Brown, M. J. (1997). Epilepsy, Parkinsonism and allied
conditions. Clinical Pharmacology. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 356-72.

(2) Mycek, M. J., Finkel, R., Clark, M. A., Cubeddu, L. X., & Howland, R. D. (2000). Pharmacology.
Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,.

(3) Dollery, C. T. (Ed.). (1991). Therapeutic drugs (Vol. 2). Churchill Livingstone.

(4) Edwards, C. (2003). Clinical pharmacy and therapeutics (pp. 465-481). R. Walker, & C. Edwards
(Eds.). Edinburg: Churchill Livingstone.
Details of group members:

Contribution
Sr. Primary Secondar Tertiary
Name Roll number
# literatur y literatur
e literature e
Fatima Shahid BPD0216322
1
6
Ambreen Liaqat BPD0216317
2
1
Zill-e-Huma BPD0216322
3
1
Signatures:
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