Originally published by our sister publication Pain Medicine News
New real-world outcomes research demonstrated the safety and healthcare resource advantages of ibuprofen injection (Caldolor, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals) over ketorolac in both adult and pediatric populations. 
The study, published in Frontiers of Pain Research (Front Pain Res 24;5: doi:10.3389/fpain.2024.1484948), “provides compelling evidence,” according to the company in a statement, that ibuprofen injection is associated with a significantly reduced incidence of adverse drug reactions and improved healthcare utilizations when compared to ketorolac.
The retrospective, payer database analysis evaluated the records of over 17 million patients who had received either ketorolac or iburofen. Ultimately, 31,046 ibuprofen injection and 124,184 ketorolac adult patients were selected and compared for adverse drug reactions and subsequent healthcare resource utilization. This includes inpatient, outpatient and emergency department visits as well as all procedures and prescriptions during the follow up time of 29 days. An additional 5,579 pediatric patients were identified in each arm and compared in a separate claims analysis.
Ibuprofen injection treatment in adults was associated with a 45% reduction in renal dysfunction (P<0.001) and a 78% decrease in hematuria rates (P<0.001) when compared to ketorolac. Notably, patients also experienced fewer gastrointestinal complications and headaches, and less nausea and abdominal pain. Among pediatric patients, ibuprofen injection was associated with a 51% to 65% lower rate of adverse drug events, including headache and nausea, with 95% confidence intervals supporting clinical significance.
Ibuprofen injection also demonstrated a positive effect on healthcare resource utilization when compared to ketorolac, with decreased emergency room and outpatient visits, as well as a shortened hospital length of stay for both adults and children.
Ibuprofen injection indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the management of mild-to-moderate pain and management of moderate-to-severe pain as an adjunct to opioid analgesics, as well as the reduction of fever. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ibuprofen or other non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as patients with a history of asthma or other allergic type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Ibuprofen injection is contraindicated for use during the peri-operative period in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Based on a press release from Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.