Randomized Trial of Two Analgesics in Elderly ED Patients

Randomized Trial of Two Analgesics in Elderly ED Patients

The purpose of this study is to perform a randomized, double blind 2-arm clinical trial of the comparative efficacy of 2 oral analgesics in the the management of acute pain in elderly patients who present and then are discharged from the ED.

To perform a randomized, double blind 2-arm clinical trial of the comparative efficacy of 2 oral analgesics in the the management of acute pain in elderly patients who present and then are discharged from the ED.. The 2 groups are as follows:

1. Oxycodone/acetaminophen (5/325)
2. Ibuprofen/acetaminophen (400/500)

Inclusion Criteria:

• Complaint of acute pain of < 7 days duration
• ED attending plans to discharge patient home with an oral analgesic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to confirm reliable means of phone followup.
• Past use of methadone
• Chronic condition requiring frequent pain management such as sickle cell disease, fibromyalgia, or any neuropathy
• History of an adverse reaction to any of the study medications
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen or opioids taken in past 4 hours
• History of peptic ulcer disease
• Report of any prior use of recreational narcotics
• Medical condition that might affect metabolism of opioid analgesics, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen such as hepatitis, renal insufficiency, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, Addison's or Cushing's disease