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Paracetamol versus ibuprofen – which works best and when?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tina-hinton-329706">Tina Hinton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-pace-1401278">Jessica Pace</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839">Nial Wheate</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>In most cases, pain and fever relief is as simple as a trip to your local supermarket for some paracetamol or ibuprofen.</p> <p>While both are effective at reducing pain, they work in different ways. So deciding which one you should choose is dependent on the type of pain you are experiencing. Sometimes it might be appropriate to take a medication that contains both drugs.</p> <p>In Australia, <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/paracetamol-practitioner-fact-sheet#:%7E:text=It%20is%20available%20in%20many,Panamax%2C%20Chemist%20Own%20and%20Dymadon.">paracetamol</a> is branded as Panadol, Herron Paracetamol, Panamax, Chemist Own or Dymadon, plus there are generic chemist brands. Nurofen is the common brand name for <a href="https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/PICMI?OpenForm&amp;t=&amp;q=ibuprofen">ibuprofen</a>, which is also sold under generic brand names.</p> <p>So how do you know which one to choose and when?</p> <h2>Different blocking actions</h2> <p>While ibuprofen and paracetamol can be taken for similar reasons (pain relief) each works in a slightly different way.</p> <p>Ibuprofen is a <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anti-inflammatory-medicines">non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug</a>, which means it acts by blocking the enzymes that produce a group of chemicals called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3081099/">prostaglandins</a>. These chemicals are important for normal body functions such as relaxing blood vessels, preventing blood clotting, secreting protective mucus in the gut and helping the uterus contract. They are also involved in inflammation, pain and fever.</p> <p>It is still not completely understood how paracetamol works. Like ibuprofen, it is thought to act by blocking the enzymes that produce prostaglandins, although through a different mechanism to ibuprofen. There is also good evidence paracetamol <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7590544/">interacts</a> with the brain’s <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system">endocannabinoid system</a> and the “<a href="https://www.physio-pedia.com/Pain_Descending_Pathways">descending pain pathway</a>”, which inhibits the perception of pain.</p> <h2>Is one drug better than the other?</h2> <p>Because they each provide pain relief in different ways, paracetamol can be better at treating some types of pain, while ibuprofen is better at treating other types. But be wary of packaging that claims a medication is useful for targeting pain associated with a specific condition as these claims are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-03/nurofen-offers-3.5-million-compensation-to-customers/8770910">not true</a>.</p> <p>Because it reduces inflammation, the <a href="https://www.tg.org.au/">Australian Therapeutic Guidelines</a> state ibuprofen is the better choice for pain associated with osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, period pain, some types of headache, and for pain that comes from having an operation. Paracetamol does not reduce inflammation but it is a better choice when fever is associated with the pain, like when you have a cold or flu.</p> <p>The Australian government recommends either paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/treating-symptoms-at-home">pain associated with COVID</a>.</p> <h2>What about taking both or ‘piggybacking’ them at intervals?</h2> <p>We can sometimes get better relief when we take both types of medicine at the same time, since each targets a different cause or pathway of the pain. If one pathway does not completely control the pain then it can be useful to target the other one. The effects of each drug <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00158/full">can add</a> together for a bigger effect.</p> <p>Combination products that contain both paracetamol and ibuprofen in a single tablet include <a href="https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&amp;id=CP-2022-CMI-02442-1&amp;d=20230620172310101">Nuromol</a> and <a href="https://maxigesic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cmi-approved.pdf">Maxigesic</a>.</p> <p>Using a combination product means you can take fewer tablets. However, the doses in these combined products are sometimes less than the maximum recommended dose, meaning they might not work as well when compared with taking the tablets individually.</p> <p>Other times, you can get the best effect by alternating doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol. This keeps the levels of the medication in the body more constant and helps to provide more steady pain relief. This may be particularly useful when treating <a href="https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Pain_relief_for_children_-_Paracetamol_and_Ibuprofen/#:%7E:text=So%20that%20your%20child%27s%20pain,too%20much%20of%20either%20medicine.">pain</a> and <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD009572.pub2/full?highlightAbstract=therapy%7Cfor%7Cibuprofen%7Calternating%7Cchildren%7Creview%7Cfour%7Ctherapi%7Caltern%7Ccombin%7Cfebril%7Ccombined%7Cparacetamol%7Cfebrile%7Cchild">fever</a> in children. To do this, one drug is given, then a dose of the other drug is given a few hours later, with you continuing to alternate between the two throughout the day.</p> <p>If you are alternating between different pain medicines, make sure you leave <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/paracetamol-for-children/taking-paracetamol-for-children-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/#:%7E:text=If%20you%27ve%20given%20your%20child%20paracetamol%20and%20they%27re,1%20medicine%20at%20a%20time">time (at least one hour)</a> between the dosing of each product to get more effective and consistent relief. Only give the recommended dose of each medicine as outlined on the pack. And do not administer more than the maximum recommended number of doses for each medicine per day.</p> <h2>How do the side effects compare?</h2> <p>Side effects from either drug are rare and generally mild.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/otc-template-pi-ibuprofen.rtf">Ibuprofen</a> does have a <a href="https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/features/anti-inflammatory-drugs-rheumatoid-arthritis">reputation</a> for causing stomach problems. These can manifest as nausea, indigestion, bleeding in the stomach, and diarrhoea. For this reason, people with a history of bleeding or ulcers in the gut should not take ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is also known to sometimes cause headaches, dizziness, and higher blood pressure.</p> <p>Because ibuprofen thins the blood, it should also not be taken by people who are taking other medicines to thin the blood; like aspirin, warfarin, and clopidogrel. Ibuprofen should also be <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/otc-template-pi-ibuprofen.rtf">avoided</a> by pregnant women and people with asthma. In these cases, paracetamol is the better choice.</p> <p>However, you need to be careful when using these medicines to make sure you don’t use more than is recommended. This is particularly important for <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.50296">paracetamol</a>.</p> <p>Paracetamol at the recommended doses is not toxic but too much can lead to liver failure.</p> <p>Because paracetamol is found in lots of different products, it can be hard to keep track of exactly how much paracetamol you have taken and this increases the risk of taking too much.</p> <h2>Both work, both need to be used safely</h2> <p>Paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective medications for the relief of both pain and fever; however, care must be taken to use them safely.</p> <p>Always read the label so you know exactly what products you are using and how much. Only take the recommended dose, and if you need to, write down the time you take each dose. Your pharmacist or doctor can also advise on the best medicine for your pain and fever and how to use the selected medicine safely.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207921/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tina-hinton-329706">Tina Hinton</a>, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-pace-1401278">Jessica Pace</a>, Associate Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839">Nial Wheate</a>, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/paracetamol-versus-ibuprofen-which-works-best-and-when-207921">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Mum’s surprising paracetamol cleaning hack fixes ruined iron

<p>A neat trick that shows many how to remove rust has resurfaced on the Facebook group<span> </span>Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK.</p> <p>Many are thrilled with the hack, including Laura Siârn Outhart who posted the hack.</p> <p>“A 29p pack of Paracetamols saved me buying a new iron. I am a nightmare for ironing things I shouldn’t and recently ruined my iron,” she wrote on the group.</p> <p>“I read somewhere that a Paracetamol rubbed onto the iron will make it almost like new again.”</p> <p>Laura’s iron was quite rusty, so this meant she had to use two tablets instead of the standard one.</p> <p>“This took two paracetamols and it worked better when the iron was hot and not just warm,’ she added.</p> <p>"I was amazed how well it worked and how much money it saved me.</p> <p>“To anyone asking, I didn’t wet the tablet beforehand and if you use tweezers and are very careful then you won’t get burnt.</p> <p>“I am not saying do this, but it worked for me and saved me buying a new iron. I tried other alternatives but this one worked in seconds and the other ways either didn’t work or it took too long and I would give up.”</p> <p>If you’re considering using this hack, here’s how it works.</p> <ul> <li>Plug the rusty iron in and put it on maximum heat.</li> <li>Once it’s hot, grab a paracetamol tablet with tweezers (not your hands, as you could burn your fingers) and rub it onto the rusty area. Depending on the level of the stain, you might need to repeat the process with a second tablet.</li> <li>Once you’re done, wipe it clean with a cloth (while the iron is still hot, but once again, be careful with the fingers).</li> <li>Turn the iron off and marvel at the good as new surface.</li> </ul> <p>Many were thrilled with the hack, saying that they couldn’t wait to try it out for themselves.<span> </span></p> <p>‘I’ve just seen this post and tried it and it works nice shiny iron again thank you,’ wrote one person.</p> <p><em>Photo credit: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK/" target="_blank">Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK</a></em></p>

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Paracetamol doesn't cure flu or symptoms

<p>Paracetamol can't cure the flu, according to a new study.</p> <p>The New Zealand study found the common non-prescription medication did nothing to relieve flu symptoms or reduce the amount of virus present in patients.</p> <p>Medical Research Institute of New Zealand's Dr Irene Braithwaite was the lead researcher in the study of 80 people suffering from influenza.</p> <p>In the study, which was published in the Respirology journal on Sunday, 40 infected people were treated with 1 gram of paracetamol four times a day for five days; the other 40 received a matching placebo.</p> <p>Braithwaite said regular paracetamol had no effect on the amount of virus found in patients treated with the drug. Their temperature and clinical symptoms were also unaffected by paracetamol. </p> <p>"There remains an insufficient evidence base for paracetamol use in influenza infection," the study concluded.</p> <p>It is believed to be the first study of its kind in the world.</p> <p>Braithwaite said the findings were important, with more than 200,000 New Zealanders contracting the sometimes deadly virus each year.</p> <p>"Often the public is advised during the influenza season that those affected should stay at home, rest, keep up their fluid intake, and take paracetamol."</p> <p>Initially, researchers predicted taking paracetamol could be harmful.</p> <p>The virus could not replicate as well at higher temperatures and by reducing a person's temperature using paracetamol, the virus could have thrived, Braithwaite said.</p> <p>"Fortunately this was not found to be the case.</p> <p>"Paracetamol was neither harmful nor beneficial."</p> <p>However, the findings were not sufficient to recommend for or against treating the flu with paracetamol.</p> <p>The findings showed it was even more important that those at risk, particularly pregnant women, the very young, the very old and people with chronic medical conditions, be vaccinated against influenza, she said.</p> <p>"This may not be fool proof but it confers the best protection available against the influenza virus."</p> <p>The study was a collaboration between MRINZ, the University of Otago Wellington, Capital &amp; Coast District Health Board and Canterbury Health Laboratories.</p> <p>It was funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.</p> <p>Written by Laura Walters. First appeared on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a></strong></span>. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/2015/12/fast-moves-to-slow-down-ageing/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Fast moves to slow down ageing</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/2015/12/centenarian-credits-hot-dogs-for-long-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>100-year-old woman reveals her unexpected secret to longevity: hot dogs</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/2015/12/blue-christmas-cover-by-seven-year-old-girl/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>This girl’s version of “Blue Christmas” is truly beautiful</strong></em></span></a></p>

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