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Apart from so many trademark names and various product packaging appearances, there are basically two main types of over-the-counter painkillers (analgesics) circulating out there: paracetamol, aka acetaminophen, which is found in Panadol, Bisolvon, Tempra, and so on.; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a broad class of drugs that includes ibuprofen (Advil or Proris), naproxen, and aspirin.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are the most commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers and fever-reducing drugs, especially in children. Although the two are often confused and confused with each other, it turns out that there are more differences between the two drugs than we might imagine. Ibuprofen and paracetamol differ in how they work, how fast they work, and how long they last in the body, and in what they can be given to, and the risk of side effects and interactions with other drugs.
Here's our guide to finding the best pain relievers for your specific complaint.
When to take paracetamol?
Paracetamol has been used safely for years to help with mild to moderate pain and fever for babies over 1 month of age, children, and adults. This analgesic drug acts as a general pain reliever and has an effect similar to aspirin. However, unlike aspirin - which is an anti-inflammatory drug - paracetamol does not speed healing of inflammation. This means that if you are in pain due to a swollen ankle from a sprain, it may be better to take Proris than to swallow one tablet of Panadol. Paracetamol will also not work effectively to cure low back pain.
Paracetamol is better known for its fever-reducing properties thanks to its anti-pyretic (temperature-lowering) properties - useful for flu, cold and cough symptoms. This drug is also very good for fevers accompanied by colds and tension headaches. Paracetamol is also used to relieve headaches, sore throats, and the majority of non-nerve pain (muscle and joint pain, and menstrual pain / stomach cramps, for example) from mild to moderate. Reporting from the Medical Daily, according to the findings of a new study from Australia, paracetamol may provide few short-term benefits for people with osteoarthritis.
Some sore throats are caused by secondary infectious bacteria, but most are caused by viruses. For a sore throat, what you don't want to do is turn down the body's natural defenses, the immune system. Ibuprofen and aspirin are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - they dampen the body's inflammatory response, the body's defense mechanism. Thus, this makes paracetamol (which is a painkiller, but not anti-inflammatory) a better choice.
Although there's no proof of how it works, one theory suggests that paracetamol stops the perception of pain and the release of certain chemicals in the brain - which occurs in response to pain. Paracetamol can be used on an empty stomach or after a meal.
When to take ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen seems to work better when there is clear evidence of an inflammatory cause in your body, such as arthritis or neck pain, and other injuries. Ibuprofen is also effective in treating fever, regular to moderate headaches, migraines, tension headaches, toothaches, rheumatism, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, low back pain, swelling due to sprains or sprains, to post-surgical pain.
Ibuprofen works in two ways: first, it blocks the production of prostaglandin-like chemicals in the bloodstream that cause inflammation and pain. Second, ibuprofen acts by reducing inflammation or irritation surrounding the wound, thereby speeding up the healing process.
Adults can use ibuprofen together with paracetamol if necessary, but this is not recommended for children. The pain-relieving effects of ibuprofen begin immediately after taking a dose, but its anti-inflammatory effects can sometimes take up to three weeks to get the best results.
Ibuprofen can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Do not use this medicine before or after heart bypass surgery. Using NSAIDs after meals can help prevent stomach irritation.
