Tylenol Vs. Ibuprofen for Pain?

When you are hurting, what is the first medicine you reach for? Here are the differences.

Tylenol is the brand name of Acetaminophen, which is a pain reliever. It can also be used to decrease fever. It is not an anti-inflammatory. It provides short-term pain relief for mild-moderate painful conditions. There are different doses of Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Arthritis, which is stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. One benefit of Tylenol is that it is more gentle on the stomach and can be taken without food.

Motrin, Advil, Ibuprofen and Aspirin are categorized as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are used for decreasing pain, fever, blood clotting and inflammation. You may be prescribed an NSAID instead of Tylenol for inflammatory problems, such as bursitis and tendonitis. NSAIDs have potential gastrointestinal side effects.

So in general, both Tylenol and Ibuprofen are good options to treat your short-term pain. However, if you have inflammation (including swelling), it is better to use Ibuprofen. Be sure to consult your physician and pharmacist for any specific questions. If you have pain that requires chronic use of over-the-counter pain meds, report it to your doctor or healthcare provider to be evaluated. Have you had any side effects from using Tylenol or Ibuprofen? Please share in the comments section!


See the 2 links below for more info about Tylenol Vs Ibuprofen:

http://www.epharmacies.com/online-pharmacy-medicine-blog/should-you-switch-from-tylenol-to-aspirin-or-ibuprofen/

http://www.ehow.com/about_5448390_tylenol-vs-ibuprofen.html

What Are The Treatment Options For Low Back Pain?

1. Oral pain medicine, which may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS like Ibuprofen), steroids, narcotics, muscle relaxers, etc.

2. Physical Therapy, which may include exercise, joint mobilizations/manipulations, modalities (such as electric stimulation, lumbar traction), postural corrections, body mechanics, education about cause of pain and forms of self-treatment/prevention, hands-on techniques, taping, functional activity training, aquatic/water therapy.

3. Injections to the lumbar spine (such as Cortisone).

4. Surgery (more common with major spine trauma or with chronic low back pain that has failed to improve with conservative treatments).

5. Chiropractic care, including manipulations and decompression (a form of lumbar traction).

6. Alternative therapies, including massage, accupuncture, etc.

7. Advertised home treatments, such as an Inversion Table, Back2Life, etc.

8. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit, which is a device that you connect to electrodes placed on the skin of the low back. This is similar to the electric stimulation at Physical Therapy and Chiropractor offices.

9. Over-the-counter creams, medications, heat/ice, patches, supplements.

10. Bracing (more common after certain low back surgeries).


My biggest advice for you is 3-fold:
Prevent low back pain; it can be prevented!
If you have occasional low back pain, read the book "Treat Your Own Back," by Robin McKenzie.
Try Physical Therapy before other treatment options.