Paracetamol Or Ibuprofen? Which One To Take (uses And Differences)
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are two medications that are very frequently used to treat fever and all types of pain, such as headaches or throat pain caused by colds and flu.
Although neither of these medications usually have serious health risks and both are useful for relieving certain symptoms, it is worth keeping in mind that in some cases it is better to take paracetamol and in others ibuprofen.
Paracetamol or acetaminophen is marketed as Gelocatil, Frenadol and Panadol, among other names. It is the most used medicine 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, It is considered one of the most effective and least risky medications that exist except in cases of overdose.
Ibuprofen, like diclofenac (Voltaren) or dexketoprofen (Enantyum), is part of the group of medications known as “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” (NSAIDs), which have analgesic and antipyretic effects.
Ibuprofen stands out among NSAIDs for its fewer side effects , although it is still relatively aggressive with the stomach, heart and kidneys. We can find this medication under many trade names, including Espidifen, Advil or Dalsy.
What are they for?
Many people use paracetamol and ibuprofen interchangeably to treat symptoms of the same type, especially pain and fever, since both medications produce similar effects.
Paracetamol is recommended as a treatment for mild headaches , of teeth, of muscles and of bones. It is also useful for relieving discomfort associated with colds and flu.
This medication is also frequently used to enhance the analgesic effects of much more powerful opiates such as codeine, in the treatment of severe pain such as that caused by surgery or some types of cancer.
For its part, Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are used to treat all types of pain , especially those caused by inflammation, such as arthritis. Even though it is a powerful anti-inflammatory, the effects of ibuprofen in this regard are lower than those of other NSAIDs, which also explains its greater tolerability.
Is it better to take paracetamol or ibuprofen?
Although the uses of ibuprofen and paracetamol overlap to some degree, the effectiveness of each of these medications varies depending on the type of symptom we are referring to.
1. To reduce fever
Ibuprofen is better than paracetamol for reducing severe fever While ibuprofen has demonstrated antipyretic effects, it is less clear that paracetamol is effective beyond reducing 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 greater potency of ibuprofen can compensate for this disadvantage in case of severe pain.
3. For sore throat, cold and flu
Paracetamol is usually more recommended to treat cold and flu symptoms such as sore throat, because in general it carries fewer risks than ibuprofen, so it is advisable to opt for this medication when we want to treat practically any mild or moderate discomfort.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs such as Voltaren are very effective in treating dental pain and are considered the medication of choice for toothache and pain after dental operations. This is due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Combining ibuprofen and paracetamol can be useful to treat 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 a hangover
Although paracetamol is generally recommended for headaches, hangovers are a special case: as it occurs due to alcohol consumption and paracetamol enhances its negative effects, taking it in these cases can be counterproductive. Therefore, It is recommended to opt for ibuprofen to combat a hangover
7. As an anti-inflammatory
Although both medications are pain relievers, only ibuprofen has significant anti-inflammatory effects Paracetamol has not been shown to be effective in combating inflammation, although it is effective in combating the pain caused by it.
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 medications are effective in treating pain caused by surgical operations. In these cases, paracetamol is usually used in conjunction with NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or codeine or other opiates, as we have previously said.
9. For menstrual pain
Again, The anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen make it superior to paracetamol in cases such as menstrual pain Paracetamol has a superficial effect for inflammatory pain, although since it is 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 said pain, while ibuprofen does.
Therefore, It is recommended to take ibuprofen for joint pain caused by inflammation such as arthritis, sprains and strains.
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 to consume it during breastfeeding. Instead, There does not seem to be any risk in taking paracetamol during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Paracetamol has the problem that the effective dose is close to the dose at which it can cause an overdose. It is dangerous to mix paracetamol with alcohol because it increases its toxicity and the risk of suffering adverse effects.
The side effects of these medications also differ. Ibuprofen is aggressive for the stomach, so it should be taken with food and even combined with medications 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 regularly due to 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. Let us remember that the effects of ibuprofen are superior because in addition to being useful for relieving pain and fever, it also reduces inflammation, unlike paracetamol.
In addition, When we want to take one of these two medications, we should take into account their side effects : If 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 take it together with a stomach protector.
