Randomized Trial of Two Analgesics in Elderly ED Patients

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