Disclaimer: The information below is only for educational purposes to provide a general idea of what medications should be stockpiled and which are indicated for various conditions. A licensed physician should always be consulted before taking any medication, even those available over-the-counter.
Pharmacy shelves in most areas of the US are completely stripped of children’s pain relievers, especially Tylenol, which is the only pain reliever/fever reducer approved for use in infants under six months of age. As this has been going on for a few months, most parents are already aware. What many people don’t know, however, is that the world’s most popular OTC pain relievers are now being dispensed by the pill in some countries. Yep, people who don’t already have some at home are being relegated to buying relief one dose at a time.[1]
Think it can’t happen here?
At the same time, access to competent medical care is becoming increasingly limited. It would be nice if things didn’t get worse, but I’m not planning on it. Many of us are already getting the idea that going to urgent care is to be avoided if at all possible. And with many of our common injuries and ailments, we really can take care of ourselves. We know we don’t need to get checked out for most ankle sprains, back strains, broken toes, and common colds and headaches.
What we don’t usually know is which pain reliever will work best to manage our discomfort. Often, there isn’t a hard and fast rule about which to choose, but sometimes there is. Here then are some guidelines to help you decide. If both drugs may be used, as with fever or headaches, use what works best for you.
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When to choose Tylenol (acetaminophen, or paracetamol in some countries) |
When to choose Advil (ibuprofen, Motrin) |
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Pain reliever |
Pain reliever |
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Fever reducer |
Fever reducer |
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Anti-inflammatory |
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Headache |
Headache |
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Common cold |
Common cold |
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Considered safe for pregnant women, however it still increases the miscarriage rate 2.4 fold[2] [3] |
Avoid usage in those trying to conceive or already pregnant[4] [5] |
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While Tylenol passes into breast milk, it is considered safe for breastfeeding[6] |
Avoid usage if breastfeeding[7] |
|
Must be used carefully or avoided in those with liver disease or history of heavy alcohol abuse[8] |
Avoid usage in those with heart disease, kidney disease, clotting disorders, high blood pressure, elderly individuals[9] |
|
|
Muscle aches, strained muscles, arthritis |
|
|
May cause stomach ulcers[10] |
|
|
Because it may cause bleeding, use should be avoided before and after surgery[11] |
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Tylenol contains only acetaminophen. However, many common OTC drugs also contain acetaminophen, including Excedrin, Nyquil, Mucinex, Theraflu, Pamprin, Midol. You must check the labels of al drugs you’re currently taken, both prescription and OTC, to prevent overdose.[12] |
Ibuprofen also is added to common OTC medications, though not as many as with Tylenol. Brands sold in the US include Advil, Motrin IB, and Midol IB. |
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Not NSAID |
NSAID |
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Side effects include: rash, nausea, headache, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, hypersensitivity reactions, serious skin reactions, kidney damage, anemia, thrombocytopenia[13] |
Side effects include: rash, nausea, headache, abdominal pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, tinnitus, dizziness, drowsiness[14] |
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Drug interactions: Aspirin and other NSAIDS, blood pressure medications, antibiotics, antifungals, sulfa drugs, tuberculosis medicines, birth control pills, cancer medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, gout or arthritis medications, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, HIV/AIDS medications, seizure medications[15] |
Drug interactions: Aspirin and other NSAIDS, blood pressure medications, anti-depressants, heart medications, lithium, diuretics, steroids, blood thinners, methotrexate[16] |
Any medication taken for pain relief should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.[17] [18]
Other NSAIDs:
Naproxen/Aleve. Some studies suggest this is a better choice than ibuprofen for those with or at risk for heart disease.[19]
Aspirin. Aspirin functions much like ibuprofen. In addition, it reduces the clotting ability in the bloodstream and as such is often recommended for those at risk for heart attacks and strokes.[20]
Links to related posts:
OTC Pain Relievers: How Physicians Use Them for Maximum Relief
[1] https://www.txtreport.com/news/2022-12-13-he-revealed-that-zhengzhou-can-only-buy-ibuprofen-by-pill.HyiPhdBOj.html
[3] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/sep/06/ibuprofen-warning-to-pregnant-women
[4]https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=915d8982-a92e-411e-b5dc-c40e0f43f352
[5] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[6] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[7] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[8] https://uniontestprep.com/nclex-pn-exam/blog/the-differences-between-tylenol-and-motrin
[9] Risk of adverse effects is low if total daily dosage is below 1200 mg. https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/difference-between-ibuprofen-acetaminophen-3016163/
[10] https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=915d8982-a92e-411e-b5dc-c40e0f43f352
[11] https://uniontestprep.com/nclex-pn-exam/blog/the-differences-between-tylenol-and-motrin
[12] https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=915d8982-a92e-411e-b5dc-c40e0f43f352
[13] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[14] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[15] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[16] https://www.emedicinehealth.com/are_tylenol_and_ibuprofen_the_same_thing/article_em.htm
[17] https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/difference-between-ibuprofen-acetaminophen-3016163/
[18] https://ard.bmj.com/content/75/3/552.full
[19] https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=915d8982-a92e-411e-b5dc-c40e0f43f352
[20] https://www.unitypoint.org/livewell/article.aspx?id=915d8982-a92e-411e-b5dc-c40e0f43f352
Very helpful information. Thank you!
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