Painkillers are commonly sold as a fast way to alleviate pains and aches resulting from accidents or migraines. Acetaminophen —Paracetamol— and Ibuprofen are two of the most popular one available, but they serve different purposes and should be taken with care. Which one should you use, depending on your ailment? To answer this question, we follow guidance by the British National Health System (NHS), as linked across the text.
The following information has been extracted from official sources only, but does not constitute medical advice nor should it be taken as a substitute. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication and follow their advice exclusively.
Acetaminophen: what is it and when to take
Acetaminophen, or paracetamol, is a painkiller drug that is commonly used to treat several kinds of pains and aches, and also to reduce a fever or high temperature. Because of this, you can find it alone or combined with several medicines used to combat the common cold or flu.
The usual dose, always per the NHS, is one or two 500mg tablets at a time. At this dose, side effects are very rare. This can be done up to 4 times in 24 hours, with or without food, waiting at least 4 hours between doses. The medicine can take up to an hour to work after ingestion. Because acetaminophen is present in many other preparations, it’s always important to check if your anti-sickness medication contains more paracetamol, as this counts to the maximum amount that’s safe to ingest.
The NHS says most people older than 16 can take acetaminophen safely at recommended doses. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, although people living with some conditions or on certain medications must check with their doctor or pharmacist. These groups are, according to the NHS:
- People who have had an allergic reaction to this or other medicines in the past
- People who suffer from kidney or liver problems
- People who regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, the maximum amount that’s recommended
- Those who take medicines to treat epilepsy
- Those who take medicines to treat tuberculosis (TB)
- Those people who take warfarin, a blood thinner, and may need to take acetaminophen regularly.
The NHS stresses that one or two 500mg tablets is the recommended dosis and you should never take more than 8 of them in the span of 24 hours, because “taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment”. It’s advised to seek immediate help if you exceed this limit and carry the leaflet when you go to A&E.
Likewise, you should not double the dose because you missed one. Instead, if you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, or skip it if it’s almost time for the next one.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen: which one to take, according to the NHS
On the other hand, the NHS explains that ibuprofen is another common painkiller that treats several aches like back pain, period pain or toothache. It also acts on inflammation, like it happens with a sprain , strains or arthritis. It’s also available in the form of tablets, as well as pills and as a liquid that you must swallow. Finally it’s also present in the form of a gel for lesions affecting the skin. It can also be combined with other painkillers, like flu remedies. Depending on where you live, some of these formulas may only be sold on prescription.
According to a guide by the NHS, ibuprofen comes with a few things to keep in mind when when deciding which painkiller to use. This medicine, like other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs) — naproxen or diclofenac, for instance — are best indicated when there’s “clear evidence” of an inflammatory cause. Such is the case for arthritis, for example, or some injuries.
As described on a separate site, ibuprofen it’s considered safe to take for people aged more than 17, but many groups of people should talk to their doctor to make sure they do it safely. These include people who have had problems with NSAIDs in the past, or who are prone to bleeding or heart failure, among others. For reference, check the full list here.
It’s important to stick to the recommended dose —following advice by your doctor or pharmacist—, NHS warns, as serious side effects may appear if you don’t. Additionally, taking ibuprofen for long periods of time heightens the risk of stomach upset, which includes bleeding, as well as the risk of kidney and heart problems.
Unlike paracetamol, pregnant women should avoid ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends and prescribes otherwise. In this case, paracetamol is often an alternative.
