When utilizing the analgesia Medical Directive: Remember, “Whenever possible, consider co-administration of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.” The reason being that both act in different ways to produce analgesia.  Using both agents has been proven to have a synergistic effect: The combined effect of these two medications is greater than the effect of the two medications administered alone (i.e. 1 + 1 = greater than 2).

Beaudoin FL.  Combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is no different than low-dose opioid analgesic preparations in relieving short-term acute extremity pain.  BMJ Evid Based Med.  2018;23(5):197-198.

Derry CJ, Derry S, Moore RA.  Single dose oral ibuprofen plus paracetamol (acetaminophen) for acute postoperative pain.  Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;24(6)

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