Are there any benefits of combined analgesics compared to monotherapy?

I.S. Dydykina¹, E.V. Arutyunova², P.S. Kovalenko¹

¹Research Institute of Rheumatology named after V.A. Nasonova, Moscow

²Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow

Nowadays, it is known that inadequate pain management leads to a decrease in the life quality of patients, an extension of the recovery period and an increase in mortality. Thus, the rational choice and safe use of medicines in the treatment of pain and inflammation is one of the main tasks of a practicing physician. This article discusses the possibility of using a combination of paracetamol and diclofenac in the treatment of pain of various origins. The results of randomized controlled trials are presented, in which the efficacy and safety of this combination were studied in patients with musculoskeletal diseases, as well as after surgery, toothache, etc. Different mechanisms of action and administration localizations of paracetamol and diclofenac allow using a lower dose of drugs while maintaining or increasing their therapeutic effect. This approach is a promising strategy for maximizing the benefit-risk ratio in the pharmacother apy of pain, especially in comorbid and elderly patients. Various mechanisms of action and administration localizations of paracetamol and NSAIDs, in particular diclofenac, allow considering this combination appropriate and justified.

Keywords: pain, paracetamol, diclofenac, NSAIDs, comorbidity, pharmacotherapy of pain, combined analgesics.

For citation: Dydykina I.S., Arutyunova E.V., Kovalenko P.S. Are there any benefits of combined analgesics compared to monotherapy? RMJ. 2021;7:40–43.