Headache? Toothache? Period pains? “Take one or a paracetamol, it will be good for you.” 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 thing? Are they both used to combat the same ailments?
A study carried out last year with almost 700 pharmacies throughout Spain revealed that ibuprofen is the most widely purchased analgesic to treat pain among people between the ages of 26 and 50, both by prescription and on their own initiative. On the other hand, from that age on, paracetamol became much more prescribed than its analgesic ‘rival’.
Despite the belief that paracetamol and paracetamol are equivalent and that one 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 that we suffer and above all what are the virtues and defects, which also have them, of each one of them.
When to take Ibuprofen and when to take Paracetamol
Having analyzed the characteristics of each of these drugs, we can say that if we do not need to combat inflammation, the analgesic we should choose to relieve pain will be paracetamol, since it is the one with the fewest side effects. He Paracetamol, for example, would be the most appropriate option for flu statesheadache, bone pain… In addition, paracetamol is better as an antipyretic (that is, when there is fever in addition to pain).
However, our choice should be the in the event that the pain we feel is accompanied by tissue inflammation. For example, this drug would be indicated for menstrual cramps, non-migrainous headache, , muscle aches, sore throat, arthritis, pharyngitis, pain caused by strains or sprains…
But why is it so? Below we describe the characteristics of each of these drugs.
ibuprofen
It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that is frequently used as an antipyretic and for the symptomatic relief of headaches, toothaches, menstrual discomfort, inflammatory conditions… And it is that ibuprofen is considered the ‘medicine’ king of 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 combat inflammation.
There are a large number of commercial brands whose main component is ibuprofen. Among the best known, the Espidifen, Nurofen, Saetil, Ibuen or Neobrufen. For children, the well-known Dalsy, but also Pirexin or Junifen. Regarding 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 I 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, it is not recommended in patients suffering from gastric ulcer, severe renal or hepatic insufficiency, in addition to those people who take antihypertensives.
Paracetamol
As we have indicated, paracetamol is, like ibuprofen, a drug with analgesic and antipyretic properties, but not anti-inflammatory. That is, 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 equally 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 that excessive consumption is made. In the case of paracetamol, its use is not indicated in those people who suffer from liver failure.