[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/nsaid-vs-acetaminophen\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/nsaid-vs-acetaminophen\/","headline":"Acetaminophen vs Ibuprofen: Which OTC Medicine Should You Take?","name":"Acetaminophen vs Ibuprofen: Which OTC Medicine Should You Take?","description":"When you have pain, whether chronic or temporary, it can interfere with your daily life. NSAID drugs and acetaminophen could both help.","datePublished":"2020-03-11","dateModified":"2022-09-02","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","name":"Primary Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/primary-care-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/primary-care\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ibuprofen-vs-acetaminophen-for-pain.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Ibuprofen-vs-acetaminophen-for-pain.jpg","height":326,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/nsaid-vs-acetaminophen\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":835,"keywords":["chronic pain conditions","headache","NSAID","pain","UPMC Pain Management Center"],"articleBody":"When you have pain, whether chronic or temporary, it can interfere with your daily life. You want to find relief as quickly and safely as you can and get back to feeling great! But which over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever is right for you and your pain?Choosing OTC medications can be confusing. If you\u2019ve narrowed it down to acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug like ibuprofen, two of the most common medicines on the shelves, here’s how to determine which one you should take.Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen: What\u2019s the Difference?Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians \u00a0(AAFP). Ibuprofen helps reduce pain from arthritis, menstrual cramps, inflammation, headaches, and muscle aches. It\u2019s known by the brand names Advil and Motrin.Acetaminophen is in a category of its own and is not typically used for inflammation. It\u2019s not an NSAID, but it still helps alleviate pain. Known by one of its brand names, Tylenol, it helps reduce fevers, relieve headaches and other minor pains, and soothe arthritis pain.What Are NSAIDs and When Should You Take Them?NSAIDs, as the\u00a0American College of Rheumatology explains, are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They block a hormone-like substance in your body that sends pain messages to your brain. NSAIDs come in many different strengths and can be prescribed by a doctor or purchased over the counter. Prescription-strength NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, are often taken for chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.OTC ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are taken for:Minor aches and pains (headaches).Menstrual cramps.Muscle aches (such as after exercise).These drugs soothe inflammation, so they\u2019re a good choice if you have a muscle or joint sprain, strain, or swelling.You shouldn\u2019t take NSAID drugs if you:Have more than three alcoholic drinks per day.Are allergic to aspirin or other pain medicine.Take blood-thinners.Have a bleeding disorder or have had stomach bleeding problems\/ulcers.Have liver, kidney, or\u00a0heart disease.When Should You Take Ibuprofen?Like other NSAIDs, ibuprofen is used to reduce pain from inflammation in particular, but when is it the best choice? Ibuprofen is a fast-acting drug that comes in many forms. including chewable tablets, swallowed tablets, suspensions, and liquid-filled capsules, which is why it is so popular. If you are experiencing minor pain from stiffness, soreness, or swelling you may try ibuprofen if you do not have liver, kidney, or heart disease, stomach ulcers or bleeding, or severe asthma. Ibuprofen can worsen these conditions.What is Acetaminophen?Acetaminophen is a pain-relieving and fever-reducing drug. It is sold commercially under the name Actamin, Aurophen, and Tylenol. Acetaminophen typically is taken orally but also can be delivered intravenously.When Should You Take Acetaminophen?According to the\u00a0National Institutes of Health (NIH), acetaminophen has many of the same uses as NSAID pain relievers, but it\u2019s not an anti-inflammatory drug. That means it isn\u2019t as effective as ibuprofen at reducing swelling or inflammation, such as from a sprained joint or a muscle ache. However, acetaminophen does help reduce fevers, and, like NSAIDs, also relieves minor aches and pains.As with NSAIDs, a doctor can prescribe acetaminophen at a higher strength to treat chronic arthritis or other serious pain.You shouldn\u2019t take acetaminophen if you:Have severe liver or kidney disease.Are already taking a medicine containing acetaminophen.Have more than three alcoholic drinks per day.What Are the Risks of Taking Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen?Both types of drugs can have serious side effects if taken incorrectly. Talk to your doctor before starting any new medication, and do not give OTC pain medication to a child without a doctor\u2019s advice. \u201cTaking NSAID medication like ibuprofen every day, long-term can cause worsening acid reflux or even stomach ulcers,\u201d says\u00a0Shane Eikenberry, MD, Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates-UPMC. “Make sure to take NSAID medications with food.”The NIH warns against taking more than one type of pain medication at the same time without a doctor\u2019s approval; this warning applies to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Also, do not mix prescription pain medications with OTC pain medicine of any kind. Doing so could cause harmful side effects.Ibuprofen risksYou should not take more than 3,200 milligrams of ibuprofen per day.\u00a0According to the AAFP, the risks of taking ibuprofen include:Upset stomach.Stomach bleeding.Kidney damage.Harmful changes in blood pressure.Acetaminophen risksYou should not take more than 4,000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day.\u00a0The risks of taking acetaminophen include the worsening of:Stomach ulcers or bleeding.Liver disease.Kidney disease.Heart disease.If you have questions about pain medications, contact a\u00a0UPMC primary care doctor. To learn more about managing chronic pain conditions. visit the UPMC Pain Management Center website.  Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 11, 2020, and was last reviewed on September 2, 2022.Sourceshttps:\/\/www.drugs.com\/ibuprofen.html  https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/acetaminophen.html  https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/drugs-supplements\/ibuprofen-and-acetaminophen-oral-route\/before-using\/drg-20526898."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Acetaminophen vs Ibuprofen: Which OTC Medicine Should You Take?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/03\/nsaid-vs-acetaminophen\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]