Acetaminophen or ibuprofen? Which one to take (uses and differences)

Both are medications to combat headache and other symptoms. But which one to use?

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are two medicines that are very frequently used to treat fever and all kinds of pain, such as headache or headache. and all kinds of pain, such as headaches or sore throats caused by colds and flus.

Although neither of these drugs usually have serious health risks and both are useful for relieving certain symptoms, it is worth bearing in mind that in some cases it is better to take paracetamol and in others ibuprofen.

What are ibuprofen and paracetamol?

Paracetamol or acetaminophen is marketed as Gelocatil, Frenadol and Panadol, among other names. It is the most widely used drug in Europe and the United States to relieve pain and fever, especially if they are mild.

Although its mechanism of action is not known in detail, is considered one of the most effective and risk-free drugs available, except in cases of overdose.except in cases of overdose.

Ibuprofen, like diclofenac (Voltaren) or dexketoprofen (Enantyum), is part of the group of drugs known as "non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs" (NSAIDs), which have analgesic and antipyretic effects.

Ibuprofen stands out among NSAIDs for its lower side effects, although it is still relatively aggressive.although it is still relatively aggressive on the stomach, heart and kidneys. We can find this drug under many trade names, among them Espidifen, Advil or Dalsy.

What are they used for?

Many people use paracetamol and ibuprofen interchangeably to treat symptoms of the same type, especially pain and fever, as both drugs produce similar effects.

Paracetamol is recommended as a treatment for mild headaches, toothaches, muscle aches and pains.toothache, toothache, muscle and bone pain. It is also useful in relieving the discomfort associated with colds and flu.

This drug is also frequently used to enhance the analgesic effects of opiates such as codeine, which are much more potent, in the treatment of severe pain such as that caused by surgery or some types of cancer.

On the other hand, ibuprofen and other ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are used to treat all types of pain, especially pain caused byespecially those caused by inflammation, such as arthritis. Although it is a potent anti-inflammatory, the effects of ibuprofen in this regard are inferior to those of other NSAIDs, which also explains its greater tolerability.

Is it better to take paracetamol or ibuprofen?

Although the uses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen overlap to some degree, the effectiveness of each of these drugs varies depending on the type of symptom being treated.

1. To reduce fever

Ibuprofen is better than paracetamol for reducing severe fever.. While ibuprofen has proven antipyretic effects, it is less clear that paracetamol is effective beyond the reduction of pain and mild fever.

According to studies, it is especially doubtful that paracetamol reduces fever in children, so in these cases ibuprofen is the drug of first choice.

2. For headache

Taking paracetamol alone or with caffeine is very effective in treating tension or migraine headaches.. Although ibuprofen can also help reduce this type of pain, paracetamol is considered more effective because it has neurological effects. However, the higher potency of ibuprofen can compensate for this disadvantage in case of severe pain.

3. For sore throats, colds and flu

Paracetamol is generally more suitable for treating cold and flu symptoms, such as sore throat, because it usually involves a sore throat.Paracetamol, such as sore throat, is generally less risky than ibuprofen, so it is a good choice when treating almost any mild to moderate discomfort.

5. For toothache

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs such as Voltaren are very effective in treating dental pain and are considered the drug of choice for treating toothache. and are considered the drug of choice for toothache and pain following dental operations. This is due to their anti-inflammatory effects.

Combining ibuprofen and paracetamol can be useful for treating severe pain of this type that does not improve with ibuprofen alone. It is also recommended to take only paracetamol in case the person has stomach problems such as ulcers.

6. For hangovers

Although paracetamol is generally recommended for headaches, a hangover is a special case: as it is caused by alcohol consumption and paracetamol potentiates its negative effects, taking it in these cases can be counterproductive. It is therefore recommended to opt for ibuprofen, it is therefore recommended to opt for ibuprofen to combat hangovers..

7. As an anti-inflammatory

Although both drugs are analgesics only ibuprofen has significant anti-inflammatory effects.. Paracetamol has not been shown to be effective against inflammation, although it is effective against pain caused by inflammation.

This means that in case of inflammatory pain, ibuprofen attacks the cause of the problem, while paracetamol has more superficial effects.

8. For postoperative pain

Both drugs are effective in the treatment of surgical pain. In these cases, paracetamol is usually used in conjunction with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or with codeine or other opiates, as previously mentioned. or other opiates, as previously mentioned.

9. For menstrual pain

Again, ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory effects make it superior to paracetamol in cases such as menstrual pain.. Paracetamol has a superficial effect for inflammatory pain, although being less aggressive than ibuprofen it may make sense to take it for menstrual pain if it is mild.

10. For joint pain

Paracetamol is effective in relieving pain caused by joint problems but as we have said it does not reduce the inflammation that causes joint pain, whereas ibuprofen does.

Therefore, it is recommended to take ibuprofen for joint pain, ibuprofen is recommended for joint pain caused by inflammation.It can be used in the treatment of arthritis, sprains, strains and sprains.

Contraindications and side effects

Ibuprofen should not be taken during pregnancy as it has been shown to be harmful to the baby during at least the third trimester. It is also not recommended during breastfeeding. On the other hand, there appears to be no risk in taking paracetamol during pregnancy and breastfeeding..

Paracetamol has the problem that the effective dose is close to the dose above which it can cause an overdose. It is dangerous to mix paracetamol with alcohol because it increases its toxicity and the risk of adverse effects.

The side effects of these drugs also differ. Ibuprofen is aggressive to the stomach, so it should be taken with food and even in combination with drugs that protect this organ**. Paracetamol does not affect the stomach but in the long term it can damage the liver** to a greater extent than ibuprofen.

Final recommendations

Neither paracetamol nor ibuprofen should be consumed on a regular basis because of their potential long-term side effects.

Although in general when in doubt we should use paracetamol because it is less aggressive than ibuprofen, it also has fewer uses. Remember that the effects of ibuprofen are superior because in addition to being useful in relieving pain and fever it also reduces inflammation, unlike paracetamol.

Likewise, when we want to take one of these two drugs, we should take into account their side effectsIf we have liver problems we should avoid taking paracetamol and if we are more concerned about damaging the stomach it is advisable not to take ibuprofen or to take it together with a stomach protector.