Can anyone give me a brief idiot's guide to which should be taken for common problems? I tend to take paracetamol (but very rarely as I don't like taking tables) but I am probably taking the wrong thing. Thank you.
Ibuprofen is for inflammation. Paracetamol is for pain.
If your pain is severe and not controlled by paracetamol alone you can take ibuprofen as well. You MUST NOT take more than the prescribed dose over 24 hours for each product.
Hope this helps.
doesn't really matter imo - they both take down a temp, they both help with pain. Paracetamol is kinder on the stomach. Ibuprofen can't be taken by people with asthma
grannydi is totally correct, ibuprofen reduces inflammation, so ( my doctor said) if you have high blood pressure or a heart condition you should not take ibrprofen as it may shrink the arteries.
Not all asthmatics are sensitive to Ibuprofen, I can take it with no problems at all (asthmatic for 24 years, COPD for 5-ish years). My pain killer of choice for minor pain is Ibuprofen as I seem to be resistant to paracetamol.
If you are taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, take one then wait 2 hours then take the other. Paracetamol can be taken on an empty stomach, although its better not to, Ibuprofen cannot, so if you have a stomach upset with the whatever, use paracetamol, not ibuprofen.
interesting maidup. I find that paracetamol makes me sleepy and ibuprofen doesn't. I would use ibuprofen for toothache or a sore throat (inflammation).
For muscle aches I use ibuprofen during the day, paracetamol at night.
Very interesting Percypineapple, I take ibuprofen almost every day, and also have high blood pressure, but the doctor prescribes them for me for pain so I presumed there was no problem.