Two tablets of hydrocodone/acetaminophen work better...

Postsurgical pain can be effectively treated with combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.

The researchers studied 163 patients after bunionectomy and divided them into 3 groups: first group received 2 tablets of extended-release hydrocodone/acetaminophen every 12 hours; the second - 1 active tablet and 1 placebo tablet every 12 hours; the rest of patients received 2 placebo tablets every 12 hours.

"Two tablets work much better as compared with 1 tablet," said Andrea Best, MD, Global Project Head, Abbott Pain Care, Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, United States. Either 1 or 2 tablets is enough to be superior to placebo in relieving postsurgical pain.

In the first 12 hours, those given placebo improved less than 50 points on the 450-point scale; patients taking 1 tablet of active treatment and 1 placebo tablet improved by 200 points; those receiving 2 tablets of hydrocodone with acetaminophen achieved a 350-point improvement.

There were no serious side effects related to the drugs, Dr. Best reported. Only 2 serious adverse events took place, but they have been caused by immobility after the surgery.