Nobody, including myself, ever has a clear answer on the difference between the many over the counter pain remedies like Advil vs. Tylenol vs. Aspirin. So, I thought I would do a little research to provide our readers with more than just my personal opinion on this subject. I have a strong preference for ibuprofen over acetaminophen or aspirin but that is because I often have body pain from workouts and past injuries. So, to tell a friend who has a headache that they should take ibuprofen is just a lazy answer. Tylenol or acetaminophen is great for headaches and easier on the stomach than aspirin. So while I may prefer Advil, Tylenol may be just fine for someone else.
Here’s the skinny on these three over the counter pain remedies to help you make the best selection for you and your pain:
Aspirin: (Popular brands: Bayer, Bufferin) The most common over the counter pain reliever, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, reacts with our blood chemistry to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which helps to control headaches, minor aches and pain, and inflammation. Aspirin therapy is also being used today in the treatment of heart disease. Aspirin is not without risk and it’s not for everyone. For those with sensitive digestive systems, it can cause stomach upset, heartburn and even dyspepsia. It’s also an anticoagulant, which makes it bad for hemophiliacs and a bad choice for pain relief after you’ve had surgery. It’s also been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a disease in children, when aspirin is used to relieve discomfort associated with fever.
Acetaminophen: (Popular brands: Tylenol) This pain reliever soothes headaches and lowers fevers, but it is not an anti-inflammatory, so it won’t do much to help with arthritis and other body aches and pains (which is why I never bother with it). The biggest benefit of acetaminophen, relative to other headache pills, is that is won’t irritate the lining of your stomach. If you have acid reflux, ulcers or other digestive tract issues, acetaminophen is generally a clear choice over aspirin. Acetaminophen is also considered safer for hemophiliacs and children. However, doctors warn that it’s easier to overdose on acetaminophen than aspirin – a concern underscored by the FDA panel’s ruling. So be sure to take this drug only as directed.
Ibuprofen: (Popular brands: Advil, Motrin) Ibuprofen is chemically similar to aspirin and functions similarly as well, but in lower doses, it tends to be less irritating to the upper digestive system. So if you find aspirin difficult to stomach, but have body aches and pains that acetaminophen can’t treat, ibuprofen is often the best answer for ailments like arthritis, sunburns, sprains and the like.
Now, with all that said, I am someone who had stomach ulcers at a very early age. Probably because of another illness as a child that resulted in my blood needing to be thinned and an intake of lots of aspirin. I do find that ibuprofen can be a little hard on my stomach but not as bad as aspirin and only if I take it many days in a row which I try not to do.
In my unprofessional opinion, if you just have regular (non-migraine) headaches then acetaminophen should work just fine. But, if you have inflammation from an injury like a sprain, ibuprofen is a better choice. And, honestly, I don’t know many people who take aspirin for pain but if it works for you, then by all means, aspirin up! It’s certainly a lot less expensive than the other two. Hopefully you’re all pain free and this is just useless information!!!! If not, I hope this helped clear up the main differences between these common pain remedies.
How are you living5x5 today? Share with me your experiences with these medicines in the comment section below. Don’t forget to GRAB my FREE Manifesto Guide for everyday inspiration.
Note: I’m not a certified health or medicine expert. My opinions are solely based on my experiences.
