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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers have earned their spot in your medicine cabinet. You reach for them to lower a fever, banish a headache or ease those monthly cramps.Both acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (like Advil® or Motrin®) are used to treat fevers and pain. But they’re not exactly interchangeable.So, when it comes to ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen, which should you choose?Family medicine specialist Matthew Goldman, MD, discusses what you should know about ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen, and which one makes the most sense for your aches and pains.It can be hard to determine which pain medication you should use: acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Here’s how to decide between the two.Understanding ibuprofen and acetaminophenSo, how does ibuprofen work? Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins, the chemicals that cause inflammation.And as the name suggests, it tends to be most helpful for discomfort that goes hand-in-hand with inflammation, which can include redness, swelling, heat, pain and/or loss of function at the site or source.Common side effects of ibuprofen include:ConstipationHeartburnNauseaStomach pain (so it’s important to take with food)Taking ibuprofen for a long time or at high doses can also increase the risk of more serious side effects, such as:Ibuprofen is metabolized by your kidneys and, therefore, isn’t a great option for those with kidney issues.Acetaminophen is a type of drug called an analgesic. Translation: It reduces pain signals within the nervous system and not at the site itself.Side effects of acetaminophen (which may be called paracetamol in countries outside the
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