By: Christy Sorensen IBUPROFEN AND ACETAMINOPHEN WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

ACETAMINOPHEN James Roth, a U.S gastrologist promoted acetaminophen also known as paracetamol to be a stomach friendly alternative to aspirin. James Roth was also a consultant to McNeil Laboratories (the makers of Tylenol). In 1955, McNeil Laboratories introduced Tylenol Elixir for children, which contained paracetamol as its active ingredient. It was marketed to children, it soon became a leading pain killer in North America.

HOW ACETAMINOPHEN WORKS Acetaminophen is nonprescription drug that is used as a pain reliever of minor aches and pains, such as head, back, and muscle aches. It is also approved for reducing fevers. Acetaminophen works by blocking the body's production of prostaglandins (naturally occurring chemicals that cause inflammation and fever). Acetaminophen is processed by the liver in three different ways, glucuronidation, sulfation and oxidation.

IBUPROFEN Ibuprofen was discovered by Dr. Stewart Adams and his colleagues in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. They were looking for a drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis with fewer side effects than aspirin. It was first made available to consumers in 1969 but only to the British. It became available in the United States in Ibuprofen tablets are sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin.

HOW IBUPROFEN WORKS Ibuprofen works very similar as acetaminophen by inhabiting the chemicals that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by everyday pains such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, and menstrual cramps. Ibuprofen is processed by the kidney in two different ways, oxidation and glucuronic acid conjugation.

OVER DOSE Acetaminophen Symptoms are not always present in minor cases but anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are all signs and can be treated with an antidote like activated charcoal and in more serious cases liver toxicity is a big concern. This all depends on the amount taken and the person’s body weight. Ibuprofen Ringing in the ears, blurred vision diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, little kidney function (no urine production) and stomach pains are all symptoms. An over dose can be treated with antidotes like activated charcoal or a simply laxative. Again this depends on the amount taken and person’s body weight.

IBUPROFEN V.S. ACETAMINOPHEN

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