Prescribing-label excerpts
Acetaminophen / Ibuprofen
Reference for: Ibuprofen; Paracetamol. Source presentation: tablet, film coated. Source route: oral.
Mechanism of action
Analgesia — COMBOGESIC contains acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Acetaminophen is a non-opiate, non-salicylate analgesic. The precise mechanism of the analgesic properties of acetaminophen is not established but is thought to primarily involve central actions. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Its mechanism of action for analgesia, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2).
Ibuprofen is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis in vitro. Prostaglandins sensitize afferent nerves and potentiate the action of bradykinin in inducing pain in animal models. Prostaglandins are mediators of inflammation. Because ibuprofen is an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, its mode of action may be due to a decrease of prostaglandins in peripheral tissues.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption — Peak plasma concentration following the administration of three COMBOGESIC tablets occurs at approximately 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes after administration for acetaminophen and ibuprofen, respectively, under fasting condition. In the same study, the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and the extent of absorption (AUC0-inf) are 14.88 mcg/mL and 47.44 mcg.h/mL for acetaminophen and 25.58 mcg/mL and 95.62 mcg.h/mL for ibuprofen, respectively. The Cmax and AUC0-inf values for both acetaminophen and ibuprofen increase dose proportionally to increases in COMBOGESIC doses from one, to two, to three tablets. A single-dose pharmacokinetic study of COMBOGESIC in volunteers showed no drug interactions between acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Distribution — Acetaminophen appears to be widely distributed throughout most body tissues except fat. Its apparent volume of distribution is about 0.9 L/kg. A relatively small portion (~20%) of acetaminophen is bound to plasma protein.
Elimination — The half-life of acetaminophen is about 2 to 3 hours in adults. It is somewhat shorter in children and somewhat longer in neonates and in cirrhotic patients. Acetaminophen is eliminated from the body primarily by formation of glucuronide and sulfate conjugates in a dose-dependent manner.
Ibuprofen is rapidly metabolized and eliminated in the urine. The elimination half-life of ibuprofen is in the range of 1.9 to 2.2 hours.
Selected passages from the cited U.S. prescribing label. The studies concern the source product and populations named in each passage; they do not establish Walter-product bioequivalence, an approved indication, or the kinetics of another fixed combination. Tables and the full prescribing information remain available in the source.
Source: DailyMed: Acetaminophen / Ibuprofen — tablet, film coated
Reference accessed . Label revision: 2025-01-14.
