PARACETAMOL & IBUPROFEN

Paracetamol & Ibuprofen

Paracetamol & Ibuprofen

Introduction

Paracetamol should always be the first choice as it has fewer side effects than ibuprofen. It is therefore better to take paracetamol first and then use ibuprofen 2-3 hours later - but only if the paracetamol has not worked in controlling your symptoms. The chemist says - it is best to avoid taking several different pain medicines all at once because of stomach upset, nausea, and the possibility that you might not need all that medicine! Patient need to separate different types of pain medication. In this case, you can use the "Three Hour Switch" that doctors explain to all parents. Take one medicine, then after three hours, switch and take the next one. Three hours after that, switch back to the first one. Keep switching back and forth until you feel better.You should reconsider the need to take both paracetamol and ibuprofen on a daily basis because it's best to avoid taking unnecessary medicines.Avoid taking ibuprofen and aspirin together. They can cause serious stomach upset which can lead to indigestion, gastritis and ulcers(Högestätt ED, 2005,, 45)(Högestätt, 2005,, 45)(Anthony, 2007,, 525).

Benefits And Drawbacks

Paracetamol (which in some countries is called acetaminophen) has been safely used for many years to help with mild to moderate pain and fever for babies, young children, older children and adults. But if too much paracetamol is given to a child, especially a sick child, for too long, it can harm the child. Ibuprofen is a newer drug than paracetamol, but it has also been used for fever and mild to moderate pain in children and adults for some years. It is not suitable for children under six months of age. Paracetamol and ibuprofen do not treat the cause of the pain or fever. Any baby or child who is unwell, or in moderate to severe pain should be seen by a doctor to find out what the cause is. Ibuprofen does not appear to be more effective than paracetamol, and ibuprofen should not be given at the same time as paracetamol(Anthony, 2007,, 525)(Ellis, 2002,, 5)(Ottani, 2006,, 28).

Paracetamol (which in some countries is called acetaminophen) has been safely used for many years to help with mild to moderate pain and fever for babies over 1 month of age, young children, older children and adults. But if too much paracetamol is given to a child, especially a sick child, for too long, it may harm the child.

Ibuprofen is a newer drug than paracetamol, but it has also been used for fever and mild to moderate pain in children and adults for some years. It is not suitable for children under 3 months of age. Paracetamol as well as ibuprofen do not treat the cause of the pain or fever. Any baby or child who is unwell, or in moderate to severe pain should be seen by a doctor to find out what the cause is. Advice from the Women's and Children's Hospital in South Australia is that paracetamol is ...