While Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine and Sports Medicine is here to help you get back to a comfortable, active life, sometimes you still need a little relief. It’s essential to have the right tools for treating everyday injuries at home. When in doubt, you should always make sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
Over-the-counter pain medicine is common and quite helpful for those needing home treatment, though many people aren’t sure which kind is best. Here, the focus will be on ibuprofen and acetaminophen – the differences between the two, what they’re used for, and when it’s best to use each.
Ibuprofen vs Acetaminophen: What are they?
According to WebMD, ibuprofen (or Advil, a common brand name for it) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and works by blocking the body’s production of substances that cause inflammation, effectively helping to decrease swelling, pain, or fever.
Acetaminophen (or Tylenol, its common brand name), on the other hand, belongs to a class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers) as said in this article. Unlike ibuprofen, acetaminophen doesn’t help with inflammation, but it does work by increasing the pain threshold in a person. This means it requires a larger amount of pain to develop before you feel the discomfort.
What are they used for?
Ibuprofen is commonly used for:
- Headaches
- Dental pain
- Menstrual cramps
- Muscle aches
- Arthritis
- Minor aches/pain from colds or the flu
The common uses for acetaminophen are:
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Arthritis
- Backache
- Toothache
- Colds
When to choose each
As mentioned in this article, ibuprofen is best used for headaches, joint and muscle pain, sprains, fevers, and other conditions caused by inflammation. However, avoid using ibuprofen if you have kidney problems because it can lead to kidney complications if taken too much.
Acetaminophen is best used for headaches, fever, and pain not caused by swelling since it isn’t an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. Excessive use can cause liver damage, though, so don’t take it if you already have liver issues.
While both drugs are helpful in different ways and can be used to treat various home injuries, you should always make sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
HROSM is here for all of your orthopaedic and sports medicine needs. For more information and treatment options, please contact us today.
