Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generic names for over-the-counter pain relief drugs. They act differently in the body, though. Acetaminophen, which is packaged as Tylenol, relieves pain and reduces fever. Ibuprofen, popularly packaged as Advil or Motrin, is an anti-inflammatory medication that is used to treat moderate pain from conditions like arthritis and menstrual cramps. Because both are used as pain relievers, you might wonder
whether acetaminophen or ibuprofen is better. Acetaminophen comes as Tylenol and other brand names. It is a fever reducer (antipyretic) and pain reliever (analgesic). The most common way to use acetaminophen is oral, or by mouth. You should follow the dosage recommended by your doctor or as directed on the label. Acetaminophen is also present in some prescription medicines. Do not use the
over-the-counter form with medicines containing acetaminophen, as an overdose could be fatal. Ibuprofen is a painkiller that lowers inflammation in the body. It is related to aspirin and naproxen, which is the main ingredient in Aleve and Anaprox. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) reduces inflammation and pain in certain conditions, such as back pain, toothache, headache, menstrual cramps, minor
injuries, and arthritis. Use ibuprofen as directed on the label or recommended by your doctor. It is best to take the lowest dose of ibuprofen to treat your condition. Acetaminophen can cause an allergic reaction in your body. The signs of an acetaminophen allergy are swelling in the face, tongue, throat, and lips. You may also develop hives or have difficulty breathing. In some rare cases, the painkiller may have a lethal skin reaction. This is even possible if you have never had an adverse reaction to the drug in the past. If you experience blistering, rash, redness, or peeling on your skin, talk to your doctor right away and stop taking the medicine. Some other side effects of acetaminophen are: If you have heart disease, stomach ulcers,
asthma, or have had a heart attack, ask your doctor if you can take ibuprofen. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also consult with their doctors before taking this drug. Like acetaminophen, you can also be allergic to ibuprofen. The signs of an allergic reaction are swelling in the throat or face. Some other ibuprofen side effects are: You should use acetaminophen for pain, but if you also have inflammation, consider taking ibuprofen instead. You can also take both of them together if you have pain and
inflammation. However, never take more than the recommended dosage. If you are confused between ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen usage, choose ibuprofen for inflammatory conditions and acetaminophen for just pain. Also, if you are pregnant, you can use acetaminophen since it is considered safe for breastfeeding and pregnant mothers. On the other hand, ibuprofen is not always safe to take during pregnancy. Using any form of NSAIDs in the last 20 weeks can result in kidney and
heart problems in the baby. Plus, it can complicate your pregnancy. Always talk to your doctor before using over-the-counter medicines if you are pregnant or have heart, kidney, or liver disease. We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. When you or your child has a fever, you want something that works quickly and works well. But with so many over-the-counter (OTC) medications available, it can be tough to know which one is best for you. You can choose between two main types of OTC fever reducers: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. In general, no particular one of these fever-reducing drugs is better than the others. Instead, you should compare the drug forms, side effects, and other factors to choose a fever reducer that will work well for you or your child. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision. Acetaminophen is a fever reducer and a pain reliever. It’s not fully understood how this drug works. Acetaminophen doesn’t decrease swelling or inflammation. Instead, it likely changes the way your body senses pain. It also helps cool your body to bring your fever down. Forms and brand-name versionsAcetaminophen comes in several forms. These include:
You take any of these forms by mouth. Acetaminophen is also available as a rectal suppository. Common brand-name drugs that contain acetaminophen include Tylenol, Feverall, and Mapap. Find acetaminophen online. Side effectsWhen taken as directed, acetaminophen is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, in some cases, it can cause side effects such as:
WarningsOverdoseBecause acetaminophen is found in many over-the-counter medications, it’s easy to take too much of it. That makes overdose a concern. You should not take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period. This limit includes acetaminophen from all sources, including over-the-counter and prescription forms. Other common OTC drugs that contain acetaminophen include Alka-Seltzer Plus, Dayquil, Nyquil, Excedrin, Robitussin, and Sudafed. To be safe, avoid taking more than one product that contains acetaminophen at a time. In case of overdose, call your local poison control center or 911 right away. Liver damageIf you take too much acetaminophen, it can also cause liver damage. In severe cases, this can lead to liver failure, the need for a liver transplant, or death. Again, only take one medication that contains acetaminophen at a time, and always carefully follow the dosage instructions on the medication package. AlcoholTaking acetaminophen and drinking alcohol can also cause liver damage. In general, you should not take acetaminophen if you have three or more drinks that contain alcohol every day. Extended fever or drug reactionStop taking acetaminophen if your fever gets worse or lasts more than three days. Also stop using it if you develop new symptoms such as skin redness or swelling. In these cases, call your doctor right away. They could be a signs of a more serious condition. Drug interactionsAcetaminophen can interact with other drugs. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. Examples of drugs that can cause dangerous interactions when used with acetaminophen include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include drugs such as:
NSAIDs help decrease inflammation, pain, and fever. They do this by blocking the body’s production of a substance called prostaglandin. This substance promotes inflammation and fever by causing the release of various chemical signals in your body. Forms and brand-name versionsIbuprofenIbuprofen comes in several forms. These include:
You take ibuprofen by mouth. Common brand-name products that contain ibuprofen include Advil and Motrin. Shop for ibuprofen on Amazon. AspirinAspirin comes in these forms:
You take any of these forms by mouth. Aspirin also comes as a rectal suppository. Common brand-name products that contain aspirin include Bayer Aspirin and Ecotrin. Purchase aspirin here. NaproxenNaproxen comes in these forms:
You take naproxen by mouth. A common brand-name product that contains naproxen is Aleve. Find naproxen online. Side effectsThe most common side effect of NSAIDs is an upset stomach. To help prevent stomach upset, take ibuprofen or naproxen with food or milk. You can take aspirin with food or a full glass of water. NSAIDs can also have more serious side effects. The more serious side effects of ibuprofen or naproxen can include:
The more serious side effects of aspirin can include:
WarningsTalk with your doctor before taking an NSAID if any of these warnings pertain to you. History of heart diseaseIf you have a history of heart disease, you have increased risk of heart attack or stroke when taking ibuprofen or naproxen. The risk is still higher if you take more of these medications than directed or if you take them for a long time. History of stomach ulcers or bleeding problemsIf this applies to you, you have an increased risk of ulcers or bleeding when taking ibuprofen or naproxen. The risk is still higher if you:
Extended fever or drug reactionThere are several instances that indicate you should not continue to treat your fever with an NSAID. Stop taking NSAIDs if:
Signs of stomach bleeding include:
Stop taking the drug and call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. These effects could be signs of a more serious condition. AlcoholIf you have three or more drinks that contain alcohol per day, you’re at higher risk of ulcers or bleeding when taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. Taking NSAIDs and drinking alcohol can cause severe stomach problems. Problems in childrenAvoid using aspirin in children and adolescents who are younger than 12 years and are recovering from chickenpox or flu symptoms. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has nausea and vomiting along with certain behavior changes. These include aggressive behavior, confusion, or loss of energy. These behavior changes may be early signs of a rare condition called Reye’s syndrome. If left untreated, Reye’s syndrome can be life-threatening. Learn more about why aspirin and children don’t mix: Reye’s syndrome » Drug interactionsNSAIDs can interact with other medications you may be taking. For example, NSAIDs can interact with:
Fever reducers can affect people of different ages differently. Follow these age guidelines to help determine which fever reducer is best for you or your child. Adults (ages 18 years and older)Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are generally safe for reducing fever in adults. Children (ages 4-17 years)Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally safe for reducing fever in children who are 4-17 years old. Do not give aspirin to children unless your doctor says it’s okay. Naproxen is safe in children ages 12 years and older. If your child is younger than 12 years of age, talk to your doctor before giving your child naproxen. Children (ages 3 years and younger)Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are generally safe for reducing fever in young children. However, be sure to talk to your child’s doctor first if your child is younger than 2 years. Do not give aspirin to young children unless your doctor says it’s okay. For infants younger than 3 months, call your doctor first before giving any medication. When choosing a fever reducer, you have a few options. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin can each help treat a fever. They each come with their own unique considerations, including what drugs they interact with, who they’re safe to treat, and their possible side effects. While there is no one best fever reducer, there may be a fever reducer that is the best option for you. Consider the information in this article carefully to make a healthy choice. Why do doctors recommend Tylenol over ibuprofen?“Too much ibuprofen can cause long-term kidney complications and potentially liver complications, too. It can also cause painful and bleeding ulcers in the stomach. Acetaminophen can be hard on the liver and may also cause kidney problems with long-term, chronic use,” Reeder says.
Which fever reducer works best?You can choose between two main types of OTC fever reducers: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. In general, no particular one of these fever-reducing drugs is better than the others.
Does ibuprofen reduce fever better than paracetamol?Both drugs appeared well tolerated and no evidence of difference in short-term adverse effects was observed. Both drugs are effective antipyretics but the longer action of ibuprofen may make it preferable in some circumstances.
Is it better to take Tylenol or ibuprofen?Ibuprofen vs Acetaminophen: Which to Use? You should use acetaminophen for pain, but if you also have inflammation, consider taking ibuprofen instead. You can also take both of them together if you have pain and inflammation. However, never take more than the recommended dosage.
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Is ibuprofen or tylenol better for fever
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