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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
The first line of defense for your aches, pains and general unrest is the medicine cabinet. Once you start feeling under the weather, you pop a pill or two of acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen. And before you know it — relief!It’s such a habitual reaction, that you probably don’t even think about your choice. You take whatever’s on hand and wait for it to kick in. Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, store brand generic — it’s all the same, right?Not at all, actually. While these over-the-counter drugs provide similar results, they are not the same. As you’ve surely seen plastered on every package of Tylenol, acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Ibuprofen and naproxen can do both those things, but they are anti-inflammatory drugs designed to reduce inflammation and swelling.Which little tablet should I take?The lines are blurred. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen have different chemical makeups, but the choice between them is not always clear. Depending on your condition, one is typically better suited than the other. When in doubt, use this guide to help you figure out which medicine to take.When you have...You should take...HeadacheAcetaminophen (Tylenol). It provides quick pain relief and is safer to take more for longer periods if your symptoms last.InflammationIbuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve). The most common of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), ibuprofen or naproxen inhibits the chemicals that cause inflammation in the body. It’s the pick for things like sinus infections, arthritis, earaches and toothaches.FeverEither. Some people find relief from acetaminophen, others from ibuprofen. If your fever is accompanied by an upset stomach, take acetaminophen. Ibuprofen and naproxen may make your stomach feel worse.Muscle aches or strainsIbuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve). Its anti-inflammatory properties are better for muscle soreness and body aches that typically stem from inflammation.Cold or sore throatAcetaminophen (Tylenol). Some studies show that acetaminophen relieves cold symptoms and a sore throat better than ibuprofen or naproxen.PainEither. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever. Ibuprofen or naproxen acts on inflammation, which can be the root of your pain. Take the one that provides you comfort and try the other pill if your pain persists.Menstrual crampsIbuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve). NSAIDs inhibit the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like lipids that cause your cramps. Acetaminophen only relieves the pain and doesn’t reduce your levels of prostaglandins.“In general, pain that is associated with inflammation, like swelling or acute injury, is better treated with ibuprofen or naproxen,” says Matthew Sutton, MD, a Family Medicine physician at The Iowa Clinic’s West Des Moines campus. “There's evidence that acetaminophen is specifically not effective for low back pain and knee osteoarthritis, so ibuprofen or naproxen are probably better bets for these.”Naproxen and ibuprofen also have their differences. Naproxen provides long-acting relief, so doses are taken just twice a day. Ibuprofen is a short-acting anti-inflammatory that can be taken every six to eight hours — the same dosing schedule as acetaminophen. So if you’re taking naproxen, be careful not to accidentally take an incorrect dose out of error or
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