Ibuprofen Vs. Acetaminophen

[carriecraig]

I think I've heard that Ibuprofen (Advid, Motrin, etc) is bad for people with stomach problems. Have you heard the same thing? Do you take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches, pains, cramps?

[jerseyangel]

I took Motrin once for a tooth problem and it caused terrible nausea--worse than the pain from the tooth! If I need heavy-duty pain relief, I use Extra-Strength Bufferin. If not, I'll use nothing or maybe Tylenol.

[elonwy]

I have Duodenal ulcers because of taking so much advil and alleve. Have to take Tylenol now. Kinda scary seeing as how I'm only 28. I'm thinking its probably related.

Elonwy

[tarnalberry]

I take whichever one is appropriate for the situation. Ibuprofen and naproxyn sodium are good anti-inflammatories and have cox-2 effects, so I use them for inflammatory pain (tendonitis, my knees, etc.) and for cramps (the uterine pain receptors are cox-2). Tylenol wouldn't do much for these pains. For very high fever, I generally use acetominophen, though I'll alternate it with ibuprofen if it's a stubborn high fever. For headaches, I generally use Advil, because it comes in a liquid gel, which works faster than tylenol, and seems to help my headaches better.

[Canadian Karen]

I mostly use Tylenol. Sometimes I use Motrin for my joints (knees, elbows, thumb) but for the most part, I use Tylenol #1's. Here in Canada, you can get Tylenol #1's (with codeine) over the counter without a prescription, which helps tremendously when I have either a headache or back pain and also for menstrual cramps......

Karen

[nettiebeads]

I think I've heard that Ibuprofen (Advid, Motrin, etc) is bad for people with stomach problems. Have you heard the same thing? Do you take Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches, pains, cramps?

It depends on the situation. I took a combination of advil and aspirin for a long time because of pains associated with my cycle. After 4 yrs of that I developed an ulcer. And eventually had a hysterectomy 3 yrs after that (Going to a male gyn is like taking your car to someone who doesn't drive). Anyhow, advil, aspirin, and Tylenol all work differently. Advil and aspirin are NSAIDS, which help to relieve inflamation. tylenol is a pain reliever. For my migraines, I take a combination of advil and tylenol. I don't mix advil with aspirin anymore.

Annette

[jenvan]

It is true that tylenol has no real anti-inflammatory properties...advil etc is best for that. However, for the sake of my stomach and the fact that those meds have made me pretty sick in the past, I still with tylenol. I try and take it only when really necessary...

[Becky6]

I took advil so much for headaches that I became allergic! My throat and lips swelled up! I was dx'd with microscopic colitis at that time and was told that people with MC have problems with NSAIDS. So I just take Tylenol now!