What is the difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen?👀👀👀

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are very commonly used antipyretic and
analgesic drugs in clinical practice. However, their chemical structure, intensity of action and adverse reactions will differ. Will there be any difference in clinical use?

Difference in effectiveness of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

The analgesic and antipyretic effect of ibuprofen is slightly stronger than that of acetaminophen, and its duration is also longer (ibuprofen <183 minutes, acetaminophen <134 minutes). However, ibuprofen takes a slightly slower onset of action. Patients will experience a more significant decrease in body temperature within 30 minutes of taking acetaminophen than ibuprofen. Both of them can be used to treat headaches, migraines, toothaches, muscle pain, dysmenorrhea (ibuprofen is more effective), and osteoarthritis (ibuprofen is more effective). However, acute attacks of gout and rheumatoid arthritis can only be treated with ibuprofen. Neither of them can be used to treat abdominal pain. In terms of effectiveness alone, ibuprofen is superior to acetaminophen.

Comparison of the safety of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Acetaminophen: Excessive doses of acetaminophen can cause life-threatening liver failure. Patients who are dehydrated or malnourished also have an increased risk of liver damage. It is less damaging to the gastrointestinal tract. It is contraindicated in patients with viral hepatitis and favismia. It should be used with caution in patients with renal insufficiency, active peptic ulcer, or aspirin allergy. Acetaminophen may also be used during pregnancy and in patients with severe heart failure.

Ibuprofen: It can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. Overdose or use while dehydrated may increase a patient's risk of kidney damage. It also increases the risk of myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. Although it can also cause gastrointestinal bleeding, ulceration, and perforation, the risk is lower than other NSAIDs. Ibuprofen is contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency, active peptic ulcer, severe heart failure, pregnancy, and aspirin allergy. However, it can be used in patients with viral hepatitis and favismia.

Precautions when using acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Acetaminophen: It can be used in children older than 3 months and can be taken before meals. The maximum daily dose for children is 15 mg/kg and for adults it is 2 g/day, once every 4 to 6 hours, and should not be taken more than 4 times a day. Alcohol and other hepatotoxic drugs can worsen liver damage when combined with acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is occasionally used concomitantly with coumarin anticoagulants without significant effects.

Ibuprofen: It can be used in children older than 6 months, with or after meals. The maximum daily dose for children is 10mg/kg and for adults it is 1.2g/day, once every 6 to 8 hours, and should not be taken more than 4 times a day. When ibuprofen is combined with alcohol, it can aggravate gastrointestinal damage. When used together with antihypertensive drugs, it will also reduce the antihypertensive effect. It may also reduce the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in preventing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Other nephrotoxic drugs may worsen kidney damage when used with ibuprofen. When anticoagulant drugs such as heparin and dicoumarol are used together with it, it will prolong the prothrombin time and increase the risk of bleeding.

Conclusion.

For children, the elderly over 60 years old, and patients with multiple underlying diseases (except those with liver dysfunction), it is recommended to use acetaminophen first.

For patients who require long-term medication and those with arthritis, it is recommended to give priority to ibuprofen (because acetaminophen has no anti-inflammatory effect).