Efficacy Comparison of Ibuprofen 400 Mg and 800 mg in the Treatment of Renal Colic: Prospective Randomized Double-blind Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: Renal colic, predominantly due to ureteral stones, constitutes a significant portion of urinary system-related hospital admissions. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, notably ibuprofen, are favored over opioids for pain management. However, the optimal intravenous (IV) ibuprofen dosage for renal colic remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of IV ibuprofen at doses of 400 mg and 800 mg in moderate to severe renal colic patients. Methods: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients with moderate to severe renal colic. Patients meeting inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to receive either 400 mg or 800 mg IV ibuprofen. Pain scores were assessed using numeric rating scale at baseline, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes. The need for rescue analgesics and occurrence of side effects were recorded. Results: Out of 150 initially enrolled patients, 126 completed the study. Pain reduction was more significant in the 800 mg group compared to the 400 mg group, especially at the 120-minute mark (p<0.05). The need for rescue analgesics and occurrence of side effects did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that IV ibuprofen at a dosage of 800 mg provides more effective analgesia for renal colic compared to 400 mg. Therefore, the higher dosage may be preferred in clinical practice due to its superior efficacy and safety profile. Further research could explore the long-term effects and optimal dosing regimens of IV ibuprofen in renal colic management.

Keywords

• renal colic
• ibuprofen
• pain management