Headache? Toothache? Menstrual cramps? “Take an ibuprofen or a paracetamol, which will come in handy.” We have probably heard this argument many times, valid for two of the medicines that are not missing in any medicine cabinet in Spain. However Are ibuprofen and paracetamol the same? Do both serve to combat the same ailments?
A study carried out last year with almost 700 pharmacies throughout Spain revealed that ibuprofen is the most purchased analgesic to treat pain among people between 26 and 50 years of age, both by medical prescription and on their own initiative. On the other hand, from that age paracetamol paracetamol became much more prescribed than its analgesic ‘rival’.
Despite the belief that ibuprofen and paracetamol are equivalent and that ‘as much rides, rides as much’ as the other, the truth is that there are important differences between the two drugs. In these lines we will try to discover what these differences are, what are the recommendations for their use depending on the pathologies we suffer from and above all what are the virtues and defects, which they also have, of each of them.
When to take Ibuprofen and when to take Paracetamol
Having analysed the characteristics of each of these drugs, we can say that if we do not need to fight inflammation, the analgesic we should opt for to relieve pain will be paracetamol, as it is the one with the fewest side effects. Paracetamol, for example, would be the most suitable option for flu-like conditions, headaches, bone pains… In addition, paracetamol is better as an antipyretic (that is, when there is a fever in addition to pain).
However, our choice should be ibuprofen in the event that the pain we feel is accompanied by inflammation of a tissue. For example, this drug would be indicated for menstrual cramps, non-migraine headaches, dental pain, muscle aches, sore throats, arthritis, pharyngitis, pain caused by sprains or sprains…
But why is this so? Below we describe the characteristics of each of these drugs.
Ibuprofen
It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is frequently used as an antipyretic and for the symptomatic relief of headaches, toothaches, menstruation discomfort, inflammatory conditions… And it is that ibuprofen is considered the ‘king drug’ of the triple A: analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory. The first two benefits are shared with paracetamol, but not the third, since the latter drug does not have the ability to fight inflammation.
There are a large number of commercial brands whose main component is ibuprofen. Among the best known, Espidifen, Nurofen, Saetil, Ibuen or Neobrufen. For children, the well-known Dalsy, but also the Pirexin or the Junifen. As for the type of this drug, the most common doses are 400 and 600 mg, with presentations ranging from tablets to granules, suppositories, oral solutions…
- Side effects
As it is an anti-inflammatory drug, its main defect is that its abuse can be harmful to our stomach. It is for this reason that it is recommended to take it during meals and even accompanied by a gastric protector in the event that we must make repeated use of this drug. In addition, several studies also highlight that excessive consumption of ibruprofen can also have negative consequences for our heart. On the other hand, ibuprofen is not recommended in patients suffering from gastric ulcer, severe kidney or liver failure, in addition to those who take antihypertensives.
Paracetamol
As we have indicated, paracetamol is, like ibuprofen, a drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties, but not anti-inflammatory. In other words, paracetamol is fundamentally a drug indicated to combat pain and fever.
In this case, the best-known commercial brands are Gelocatil, Efferalgan, Termalgin or Xumadol, while in the case of children the no less well-known Apiretal. Like ibuprofen, its types of presentations vary, from tablets to oral solutions, granules, suppositories… In this case, the most common doses are 500 and 650 mg and 1 gram.
- Side effects
Unlike ibuprofen, its consumption does not have any negative consequences for the stomach. On the other hand, it can have it for the liver in the event of excessive consumption. In the case of paracetamol, its use is not indicated in those who suffer from liver failure.
Source: La Opinión de Málaga
