Whats better for sore muscles tylenol or ibuprofen

Written by Lauren Young

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?

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.​

References:

1. Family Health Team. 2013. Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen:Which Works Better? Health Essentials.
2. “Tylenol vs Advil: What’s the Difference?” Tylenol vs Advil: What’s the Difference? N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2017. Change the date and unbold. 
3. “Consumer Reports on Health.” Consumer Reports on Health, n.d. Web.
4. “Reye’s Syndrome.” Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Jan. 2017.

Overview

With so many over the counter pain relievers to choose from, sometimes it's hard to know which is the right pain reliever for your condition. Here, Dr. Amy Shipley, MD, a family medicine doctor with Duke Primary Care Croasdaile, offers her opinion on which over-the-counter pain medication you should take when you have aches and pain, fever and inflammation.

What to Take for Fever, Pain, Arthritis

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“Acetaminophen is is my first-line medication for fever and pain, as well as arthritis. If your fever or pain returns before your next dose is due, you can try ibuprofen until your next dose of acetaminophen.” 

Precautions - Do not take acetaminophen if you have ever had cirrhosis or if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day.

What to Take for Muscle Pain, Joint Pain and Sports Injuries

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Ibuprofen (trade names are Advil, Motrin, Midol) "targets inflammation, so it is particularly helpful for muscle pain, joint pain and sports injuries. For the winter, ibuprofen really comes in handy for sore throats.” 

Precautions - Ibuprofen can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term, take high doses, or have heart disease.

“Naproxen [Aleve] and ibuprofen are better for inflammation and muscle strains. A bonus of Naproxen is you can take it twice a day versus every 4 to 6 hours like with acetaminophen. This can be more convenient for many people.” 

Precautions - May increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or have heart disease. If you have had a stomach ulcer or gastritis, talk to your doctor before taking naproxen. 

What to Take to Prevent Heart Attacks

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“The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends aspirin to help prevent heart attacks in some groups of patients. Patients should talk to their doctor to see if they fall in one of those groups.” 

Precautions - Don't use aspirin if you have a bleeding disorder. Don't use in children.