Advil Is Superior to Tylenol in Pain Relief
Advil, Tylenol, and Aspirin claim to treat minor pain, but they are not interchangeable. Ibuprofen (a component of Advil and Motrin) works best in most cases, but all three are probably less effective (and less safe) than you thought.
Vox’s Julia Bellouse asked experts about three drugs, including Oxford pain researcher Andrew Moore:
Like all good evidence-based thinkers, he was able to give a very practical answer: “If you’re talking about 500 to 1000 mg aspirin or two tablets, 30 percent of people get relief from acute pain. For acetaminophen [Tylenol] at doses of 500 to 1000 mg, about 40 percent are successful. As for ibuprofen, in its normal form at about 400 mg or two tablets, about 50 percent are successful. “
This is from acute pain, as from a specific injury. Ibuprofen is also superior to acetaminophen for chronic and headache pain, and another expert suggested that acetaminophen “is an old drug, outdated and should be avoided completely.” In several studies, this did not work at all.
However, there are other differences: ibuprofen can cause kidney damage and bleeding in the digestive system (especially if you take high doses for a long time); paracetamol is harmful to the liver, especially if you drink ; and aspirin can irritate the stomach and interfere with blood clotting. Tylenol is probably safest for a child with a fever, and ibuprofen should be avoided by some people (including pregnant women ). So check with your doctor to be sure, but in the meantime, read the link below to learn more about the differences between these common pain relievers.
Should I take Tylenol, Advil, or Aspirin for pain? Here’s What The Evidence Says | Vox
Photo by Eyesogreen .
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