Which is better for you tylenol or advil

Throbbing. Cramps. Soreness. Opening my medicine cabinet, I am faced with a variety of over the counter (OTC) drugs that can give me quick pain relief. However, the question I am always faced with is which painkiller to take? Some known painkillers include Advil and Tylenol, but is there one better suited for a certain type of pain than the other? Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen, is one of the top OTC drugs available for pain relief. However, one of its biggest competitors is Advil, containing ibuprofen. So what exactly are the differences and similarities between these two drugs?

Table of Contents Show

Proper Dosage is Key
Why do doctors recommend Tylenol instead of Advil?
Which is safer for you Tylenol or Advil?
Which is better Extra Strength Tylenol or ibuprofen?
What is the safest pain reliever?

Advil is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, so its main strength is easing inflammation. This is better for fevers, menstrual cramps, sinusitis, backache, muscle soreness, earaches, and toothaches. On the other hand, Tylenol can help relieve headaches and arthritis pain. However, Tylenol and Advil are surprisingly equally effective in soothing sore throats [1]. Both are fast-acting agents that can last up to four hours, but there is a maximum dosage of 4000mg for acetaminophen and 1200mg for ibuprofen every 24 hours. As with any medication, there are possible side effects that also need to be considered.

Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen do block COX enzymes that reduce the production of prostaglandins, substances released during injury that cause pain and inflammation, but ibuprofen blocks specifically COX-2 enzymes (pain signalling and inflammation) and COX-1 enzymes (protective effect on stomach lining) [2]. This can cause potential side effects that may damage the stomach. Additionally, using Tylenol may cause rare, possibly fatal skin reactions [1]. One of the most common uses of these pain killers is hangovers, so there could be detrimental damage when taking these pills along with alcohol consumption. Based on Consumer Reports on Health, “in the case of acetaminophen, the risk is liver damage, for ibuprofen and other OTC pain relievers, the risk is gastrointestinal bleeding” [3].

Additionally, age is a huge factor when deciding which to take. For those of older age with certain health conditions, pregnant women, and for infants six months or younger, Advil should completely be avoided. It is also advised that ibuprofen, which is chemically similar to aspirin, be avoided for children under 18 because it has been found to be linked to Reye’s syndrome, which causes swelling in the liver and brain [4]. For healthy adults, Advil and Tylenol are both equally effective, just make sure to choose the better-suited pill. Generally, Advil is better for muscle pains and strains, while Tylenol eases headaches. Make sure to take the recommended dosage and alternate between the painkillers for the best relief. In the end, both are affordable options that can soothe unwanted pain.

Ever wonder which over-the-counter medicine to give a child experiencing muscle aches or pain from a mild injury? Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve are common pain relievers on drugstore shelves. While all three medications can help alleviate a child's discomfort, the active ingredient in each drug is different. In Tylenol, it's acetaminophen; in Advil and Motrin, it's ibuprofen; and in Aleve, it is naproxen.

Dr. Shevaun Doyle, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at HSS, provides some general information and guidelines about acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen:

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Provides pain relief.
May be given to infants.
Available as a pill, chewable tablet, liquid, and suppository.
May not be used in children with liver abnormalities or medications affecting liver function.
In children scheduled for surgery, it may be used right up until surgery.

Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin)

Provides pain relief.
Works as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling.
Longer-acting than Tylenol.
Available as a pill, chewable tablet, and liquid.
Needs to be taken with food or milk.
Should not be taken if a child is vomiting, dehydrated, or not eating much.
May not be used in children with gastrointestinal or kidney abnormalities or with medications affecting kidney function.
May not be used 72 hours prior to surgery.
May not be used in patients under six months old.

Naproxen (Aleve)

Provides pain relief.
Works as an anti-inflammatory.
Longer-acting than acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Available over the counter in pill form and by prescription in liquid form.
May not be used in children with gastrointestinal or kidney abnormalities or with medications affecting kidney function.
Needs to be taken with food or milk.
May not be used 72 hours prior to surgery.
May not be used in patients under two years old.

Proper Dosage is Key

No matter which medication is used, Dr. Doyle advises parents to pay careful attention to dosing. For the liquid form, parents should use the dropper or dosing cup that comes with the product. Kitchen spoons should never be used since they're not uniform in size.

A study commissioned by the National Institutes of Health found that many parents had trouble measuring the proper dose and inadvertently gave their children too much medicine. The research supports the use of oral syringes rather than dosing cups, especially when small amounts of medication are given.

"Some parents mistakenly believe that because a medicine is sold over the counter, it's safer. That's not the case. An overdose can be very serious," Dr. Doyle said. In addition, she notes that the active ingredients in Tylenol and Advil are also found in other medications, such as cough and cold medicines. Parents are advised to read the list of ingredients in all medications a child is receiving to prevent double dosing.

Dr. Doyle also recommends that parents set up a schedule. "It's a good idea to write down the time a medication is given so it's easier to keep track of how much a child is receiving," she says. "If a parent has any questions about which over-the-counter medication to use or the proper dose, it's best to call the child's doctor."

However, doctors sometimes recommend Tylenol over Advil for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or stomach problems. This is because acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be a safer option in such individuals than ibuprofen (Advil).

Which is safer for you Tylenol or Advil?

Advil can be harder on the stomach and kidneys, while Tylenol is harder on the liver. Overall, Advil and Tylenol are safe for most people when used correctly. Be sure to read the labels of all your medications to make sure you're not taking too much of either.

Which is better Extra Strength Tylenol or ibuprofen?

This is a personal preference. Some feel acetaminophen works better for them, whereas others find ibuprofen better relieves a headache. Muscle ache or pulled/strained muscle. Ibuprofen typically works better for this kind of pain relief, due to the anti-inflammatory effects.

What is the safest pain reliever?

Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than other nonopioid pain relievers because it doesn't cause side effects such as stomach pain and bleeding.