Paracetamol v ibuprofen

[sherrardk]

Can anyone give me a brief idiot's guide to which should be taken for common problems? I tend to take paracetamol (but very rarely as I don't like taking tables) but I am probably taking the wrong thing. Thank you.

[grannydi]

Ibuprofen is for inflammation. Paracetamol is for pain.
If your pain is severe and not controlled by paracetamol alone you can take ibuprofen as well. You MUST NOT take more than the prescribed dose over 24 hours for each product.
Hope this helps.

[LyndaB]

Ibuprofen doesn't work at all for me, so if I need a painkiller, it has to be paracetamol. Thank goodness I don't need them very often

[bednobs]

doesn't really matter imo - they both take down a temp, they both help with pain. Paracetamol is kinder on the stomach. Ibuprofen can't be taken by people with asthma

[percypineapple]

grannydi is totally correct, ibuprofen reduces inflammation, so ( my doctor said) if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition you should not take ibrprofen as it may shrink the arteries.

[daffy654]

Not all asthmatics are sensitive to Ibuprofen, I can take it with no problems at all (asthmatic for 24 years, COPD for 5-ish years). My pain killer of choice for minor pain is Ibuprofen as I seem to be resistant to paracetamol.

[Eve]

Ibuprofen doesn't seem to affect my asthma (though everyone is different).

I've been told I'm not allowed ibuprofen at the moment while settling on new arthritis drugs, got a nice telling off for using some sinus stuff.

[Euphemia]

I am not allowed to take ibuprofen owing to kidney impairment.

[Hopkirk]

Sqad loves ibuprofen

[woofgang]

If you are taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, take one then wait 2 hours then take the other. Paracetamol can be taken on an empty stomach, although its better not to, Ibuprofen cannot, so if you have a stomach upset with the whatever, use paracetamol, not ibuprofen.

[Maydup]

I take paracetamol for sore throat, colds, headache, toothache etc

I take ibuprofen for back ache when my muscle plays up or for general aches and pains. Very occasionally I take it if I can't sleep.

If i have a really bad pain, maybe dental treatment or minor surgery then I alternate the two every two hours.

I'm not expert, but that's what I do!

[woofgang]

interesting maidup. I find that paracetamol makes me sleepy and ibuprofen doesn't. I would use ibuprofen for toothache or a sore throat (inflammation).
For muscle aches I use ibuprofen during the day, paracetamol at night.

[bednobs]

don't take ibuprofen every 4 hrs - it lasts for 8

[jno]

I often take ibuprofen on an empty stomach (because I didn't know otherwise); it's done no harm, touch wood

[woofgang]

It is like aspirin jno, it can burn your stomach lining. On the odd occasion I have done it, it has given me monumental acid indigestion.

[jno]

I shall take more care, thanks! I already have pills to stop acid reflux so perhaps they've helped

[humbersloop]

Hi desktop, how's adpoints going?

Has to be alternate the two for me

[jamesnan]

Very interesting Percypineapple, I take ibuprofen almost every day, and also have high blood pressure, but the doctor prescribes them for me for pain so I presumed there was no problem.

[ilovemarkb]

paracetamol is analgesic and antipyretic

ibuprofen is analgesic and antipyretic and anti-infammatory

[ilovemarkb]

sqad would recommend ibuprofen (400mg every six hours)