From the Research
The ideal pain relief for gallbladder (biliary) colic is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen, as shown in the most recent and highest quality study 1. This is because NSAIDs not only relieve pain but also reduce inflammation in the gallbladder wall. The study found that IV ibuprofen resulted in lower pain scores and reduced opioid use compared with acetaminophen postoperatively in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. Some key points to consider when managing gallbladder colic include:
- Avoiding eating fatty foods during an attack as these can stimulate further gallbladder contractions and worsen pain
- Staying well-hydrated
- Applying a heating pad to the right upper abdomen for relief
- Considering opioid analgesics like morphine for more severe pain
- Antispasmodics such as hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan) can also help by relaxing the smooth muscle of the biliary tract If pain persists beyond 4-6 hours despite medication, or is accompanied by fever or jaundice, immediate medical attention is required as this may indicate complications such as cholecystitis or cholangitis, as noted in various studies 2, 3, 4, 5. The definitive treatment for recurrent gallbladder colic is typically cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder) rather than ongoing pain management. It's worth noting that while other studies have shown the effectiveness of diclofenac 5 and morphine 4 in managing biliary colic, the most recent and highest quality study 1 supports the use of ibuprofen.