What is the difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen

In general, anyone who should avoid aspirin for any reason should also avoid ibuprofen—and vice versa. Both drugs generally work the same way with similar side effects. Always read the dosage instruction on over-the-counter medications and consult your doctor if you have questions. If you need help finding a doctor, let us help you make an appointment.

We are pleased to announce that the Breast cancer risk reduction starts with healthy habits like moving your body every day and lowering your stress. Making changes in your lifestyle The University of Tennessee Medical Center provides medical treatment without regard to race, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, culture, language, socioeconomic status, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or disability.

Copyright University of Tennessee Medical Center. Nondiscrimination Notice. Related Content View All. The side effects of acetaminophen and ibuprofen may differ. This is because your body breaks them down differently. For example, acetaminophen is broken down and removed by the liver. Acetaminophen has a warning about liver damage it can cause that can be fatal cause death. Liver damage can happen if you take too much in a hour period.

For more information, read about the dangers of acetaminophen overdose. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, is removed from your body by your kidneys. Taking it for a long time can cause kidney damage and stomach bleeding. Using high doses of ibuprofen for longer than recommended can increase your risk of:. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can cause dangerous interactions when you take them with certain medications.

To reduce your risk, make sure you tell your doctor about all drugs, supplements, and herbs you take. Taking either acetaminophen or ibuprofen may cause problems if you have certain health issues. Talk to your doctor before using acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you have:.

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen both treat pain, but they work slightly differently in your body. Each drug can pose different safety issues, especially if you have existing health conditions. How different can they be? Learn more to judge for yourself. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce pain. Learn how they work. Also discover which ones are safe for children, warnings, and other…. 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 recent 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 over dosing cups, especially when small amounts of medication are given.

That's not the case. An overdose can be very serious," Dr. Doyle said.