There is no abstract. The objectives are as follows:

The aim of this review is to examine the benefits and disadvantages of both NSAIDs and opioids, and if possible to determine which of these drug types is most appropriate for the management of pain in acute renal colic. We will include NSAIDs and opioids of any type and given by any route to any adult patients with a diagnosis of renal colic. We will explore all clinically important outcomes including; degree of pain relief, time to pain relief, rate of pain recurrence, treatment side effects (vomiting, GI bleeding, renal impairment).