Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Sep 11.
Published in final edited form as: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Oct 6;(10):CD008039. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008039.pub2

Comparison 2. Ibuprofen 400 mg versus placebo.

Outcome or subgroup title No. of studies No. of participants Statistical method Effect size
1 Pain-free at 2 hours 6 2575 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.91 [1.60, 2.28]
2 Headache relief at 1 hour 4 1269 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.89 [1.54, 2.30]
 2.1 Standard formulation 2 878 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.75 [1.34, 2.27]
 2.2 “Soluble” formulation 2 391 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.12 [1.55, 2.89]
3 Headache relief at 2 hours 7 1815 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.17 [1.92, 2.45]
 3.1 Standard formulation 5 1424 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.49 [2.12, 2.91]
 3.2 “Soluble” formulation 2 391 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.59 [1.32, 1.92]
4 Sustained headache relief over 24 hours 4 879 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.17 [1.76, 2.69]
5 Participants using rescue medication 7 1815 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.67 [0.61, 0.74]
6 Any adverse event within 24 hours 7 2656 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.97 [0.82, 1.15]
7 Relief of associated symptoms at 2 h 4 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
 7.1 Nausea 3 634 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.54 [1.27, 1.86]
 7.2 Vomiting 2 93 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.53 [1.21, 1.92]
 7.3 Photophobia 4 1328 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.51 [1.29, 1.77]
 7.4 Phonophobia 4 1261 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.63 [1.39, 1.90]
8 Presence of associated symptoms at 2 hours 4 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
 8.1 Nausea 3 1153 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.72 [0.60, 0.85]
 8.2 Vomiting 2 810 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.24 [0.08, 0.69]
 8.3 Photophobia 4 1587 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.83 [0.77, 0.90]
 8.4 Phonophobia 4 1587 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.78 [0.71, 0.85]
9 Relief of functional disability at 2 hours 3 1114 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.61 [1.38, 1.89]
10 Specific adverse events 7 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) Subtotals only
 10.1 Nausea 7 2297 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 0.74 [0.54, 1.00]
 10.2 Abdominal pain 6 2230 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.36 [1.12, 4.96]
 10.3 Dizziness 3 1615 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 1.01 [0.46, 2.22]
 10.4 Somnolence 4 1717 Risk Ratio (M-H, Fixed, 95% CI) 2.53 [0.79, 8.17]