Paracetamol or ibuprofen what is better and for what?

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are two of the most common analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications used to treat common ailments, such as headache. We often have trouble knowing what the difference between them is. We tell you when you should take one or the other and what recommendations to follow to make proper use.


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Paracetamol or ibuprofen


Most of us use both paracetamol and ibuprofen on a daily basis, because they help us to relieve common discomfort, such as muscle aches or fever. These medicines, which can be purchased without a prescription, usually reduce pain, inflammation and fever.

However, paracetamol and ibuprofen differ in the way they work, in the speed with which they act, and in the time they last in the body. They are also different in terms of the risk of side effects and interactions with other medications.



What is ibuprofen used for?


Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), analgesic (calms or reduces pain) and antipyretic (fever decreases). This medication inhibits and blocks certain enzymes in the body, called cyclooxygenases, that are released during tissue damage.

It is an effective medication for pain of mild to moderate intensity accompanied by swelling and inflammation. It is used, above all, for ailments of this type:

Arthritis
Muscle sprains or muscle strain
Inflammatory pictures
Sore throat and pharyngitis
Period pains
Migraine
Symptomatic treatment of fever
Ibuprofen is administered orally. In Spain, tablets of 400 to 600 milligrams are usually prescribed. In general, it is recommended to use the 400 mg tablets and not the 600 mg tablets that are closer to the maximum daily doses, without adding any therapeutic effect.

Adequate doses and side effects


In the recommended doses, ibuprofen is a safe medicine. The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) establishes the maximum dose of 2,400 milligrams per day, an amount that can vary according to age, weight and person.

Higher amounts than those indicated by the AEMPS may cause nausea, stomach pain, stomach bleeding or ulcers. Due to its mechanism of action, ibuprofen can have a gastrolesive effect, that is, it can damage the protective barrier of the stomach.

According to the Spanish Society of Family and Community Pharmacy (SEFAC), it is important to take precautions when taking ibuprofen in case of heat wave, because it can harm the kidney if there is dehydration, and store it in a refrigerator.



What is paracetamol used for?


Paracetamol is an analgesic drug with antipyretic properties. It has effects on pain and as a regulator of body temperature, and does not treat inflammation.

It is usually recommended to treat mild to moderate pain such as:

Cutaneous lesion
Headache
Musculoskeletal condition
Control of pain of traumatic, dental and postoperative origin
Paracetamol is available in syrup, tablets (500 mg, 750 mg or 1,000 mg), drops or suppositories. The doses can be administered 3 to 5 times a day.

Adequate doses and side effects of paracetamol


Paracetamol is safer than other analgesics but it is not free from risks. The maximum dose of paracetamol is 4,000 milligrams per day. At high doses the negative effects occur in the liver, therefore, it is not advisable to take it in case of liver failure.

It is also advisable to take extreme precautions in the event of a heat wave. In these cases, it is not advisable to take acetaminophen if we have a fever because it is ineffective in treating sunstroke.

As you can see, although ibuprofen and acetaminophen are safe medicines and are sold without a prescription, it is not convenient to self-medicate or consume a higher dose than necessary. Always check with your doctor.