Pharmacology
Acetaminophen Equally Effective in Pain Relief Associated with Ankle Sprains
By McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Jun 4, 2005, 11:23

The first study comparing acetaminophen against ibuprofen in alleviating the pain associated with ankle sprains shows that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in TYLENOL(R), offers relief comparable to that provided by over-the-counter doses of ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to reduce the pain
of sprains.

"Ibuprofen has been a mainstay in treating the pain associated with ankle sprains, but many people either shouldn't take NSAIDs or have become concerned about the safety of NSAIDs in the past year," said James D. Dalton Jr., M.D., who conducted the study and will present his findings today at the 2005 meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine.* "This new information shows that extended-release acetaminophen is equally effective at relieving the pain associated with ankle sprains and can help patients resume normal activities as early as four days after injury. This is good news for anyone interested in identifying alternatives to NSAIDs."

Conducted as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial, the study followed 260 patients who presented with grade I or II lateral ankle sprains (the most common type of sprain involving either over-stretching or partial tearing of supporting ligaments) and moderate pain when walking. In the
study, patients were divided into two groups of comparable size and baseline condition. One group was instructed to take extended-release acetaminophen for nine days (1300mg three times daily) while the other took ibuprofen for
nine days (400mg three times daily). All patients were instructed to use rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Each study participant was evaluated at days four and nine for pain when walking (the primary measurement of effectiveness) as well as for swelling, bruising, range of motion, and any adverse events such as nausea or abdominal
pain. At the conclusion of the trial, the acetaminophen and ibuprofen groups showed comparable findings by all endpoint measurements. Both study medications were well tolerated, with no significant differences between treatment groups.

Approximately one million Americans a year visit a doctor and lose time from work and routine activities because of an ankle sprain. For athletes, the incidence of ankle sprains is significant, as is the high number of recurrent sprains and the frequency of long-term complications.

Ankle sprains are the most common injury in sports, accounting for approximately 45 percent of all injuries in basketball, 31 percent in soccer, and 25 percent in volleyball. Ankle sprains are also common in football, hockey, gymnastics, skating, baseball and wrestling.

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