Paracetamol is useful for treating mild to moderate pain and fever in children. It has only a small effect on inflammation (redness, swelling). Ibuprofen is one of the most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for treating mild to moderate pain and fever in children.
Ibuprofen is generally considered to have stronger anti-inflammatory properties compared to paracetamol. This means that ibuprofen may be more effective in reducing pain associated with inflammation, such as joint and muscle pain.
An easy pill to swallow for the one in three who don't know the difference anyway, but ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory firepower blows paracetamol out of the pharmacy. Just use the lowest effective dose, and use sparingly.
A hypersensivity mechanism of liver injury was the most prevalent liver reaction. Ibuprofen has the highest liver safety profile among NSAIDs and showed no severe liver injury in larger studies. Along with paracetamol and aspirin, it is considered one of the most common over the counter NSAIDs sold in the world.
Morphine is a stronger opioid drug. Other examples of strong opioids include diamorphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone and buprenorphine. Opioid medicines come in many forms including tablets, capsules, liquids, skin patches and injections.
Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are examples of OTC NSAIDs. If OTC medicines don't relieve your pain, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. Many NSAIDs are also available at higher prescription doses. The most powerful pain relievers are opioids.
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets is unlikely to harm you. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve).
“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.
Naproxen. Naproxen (Aleve) is the most powerful anti-inflammatory pain reliever available without a prescription. It is especially effective for sprains, sunburns and arthritis and other conditions. Similar doses of Naproxen tend to last longer than other non-prescription pain relievers.
Opioids are stronger painkillers than paracetamol and may be given when paracetamol alone hasn't provided satisfactory pain relief. These include dihydrocodeine, tramadol and co-codamol.
Giving paracetamol with other painkillers
Ibuprofen is the only safe painkiller to give children alongside paracetamol. However, do not give paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. You need to give these medicines 1 at a time (unless your child's doctor or nurse gives you different instructions).
It's one of a group of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and can be used to: ease mild to moderate pain – such as toothache, migraine and period pain. control a fever (high temperature) – for example, when someone has the flu (influenza)
Paracetamol works similarly to ibuprofen by blocking the production of prostaglandins and COX enzymes in the body - chemicals that promote pain, inflammation and fever. However, unlike ibuprofen that is primarily metabolised in the kidneys, paracetamol is processed in the liver.
The biggest difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen is ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory effects, which acetaminophen does not have. Therefore, pain that is caused by inflammation responds better to ibuprofen than it would to acetaminophen.
While you can continue taking ibuprofen for a few days, it's not recommended that you take it daily to relieve pain unless your doctor has prescribed it. Medications like ibuprofen can irritate your stomach lining and cause problems ranging from mild nausea to ulcers.
Paracetamol is a medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain. Paracetamol can also be used to treat fever (high temperature). It's dangerous to take more than the recommended dose of paracetamol. Paracetamol overdose can damage your liver and cause death.
Maxigesic (AFT Pharmaceuticals) contains a combination of paracetamol 500 mg and ibuprofen 150 mg in a single tablet. The recommended dose in individuals 12 years and over is 1–2 tablets every 6 hours as required, to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given together, but you can stagger them so that every few hours, if needed, the child can have some medication. For example, you can give paracetamol at 8am, ibuprofen at 11am and paracetamol again at 2pm (i.e. six hours after the first dose of paracetamol).
They contain ibuprofen – an ingredient that provides fast, effective pain relief. Plus, they're easy to swallow. Available in three strengths: Regular Strength (200 mg), Extra Strength (300 mg) and Super Strength (400 mg).
Codeine is available at low doses over the counter within the UK. It is converted into morphine in our bodies, so many people have effectively already been on a low dose of morphine. Stronger opioid drugs include morphine, diamorphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, buprenorphine, fentanyl and tapentadol.
The most common types of OTC pain medicines are acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).