But, as you noted above, Erika, everyone is different. For instance, codeine has never worked for pain for me, and then a couple of years ago, I found out I'm allergic to it. Not just, "I don't like it, it makes my stomach upset". That's not a real allergy. I get anaphylactic shock- itch, rash, throat closing, the whole thing. So it really brought it home for me personally that everyone is different, and I totally agree that there could be ethnic differences in the way people react to different meds.
My dentist is also a pharmacist AND a Captain in the Navy Reserves. He told me that there was a study a few years ago that tested Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen on dental pain. 800mg of Ibuprofen (Motrin) and 1000 mg of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 to 6 hours were just as effective as a grain of codeine (Two Tylenol w/Codeine #3's). Of course, that's more Ibuprofen than is recommended (3200mg/day is the max), so PLEASE don't take that as medical advice, anyone! So, I just had a root canal on a front tooth today, after getting new crowns only 6 weeks ago. I told the endodontist to please not drill through the new pretty crowns. So he cut through the gums instead. Which is why this dental pain thing is fresh in my mind (and mouth!).
I hope this post is coherent- I'm going to go lay down with ice now. really. ;-)
-Kim