Compare Pain Relievers
When you’re in pain, all you want is relief and with dozens of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers on store shelves – or even in your home medicine cabinet – it can be overwhelming. They may treat similar symptoms, but they work differently in your body.
Comparing pain relievers, for example their active ingredients, uses, warnings, and dosage directions, can be a helpful way to understand their differences.
For your safety, find below comparisons of common OTC pain relievers:
This is not an exhaustive list of OTC pain reliever comparisons. These comparisons are also not recommendations. If you have any questions about choosing or using OTC pain relievers, talk with your healthcare professional.
Ibuprofen: Motrin® IB, Advil®
Acetaminophen: Tylenol®
Are these NSAIDs? (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Ibuprofen: Yes
Acetaminophen: No
Uses
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen both temporarily reduce fever and relieve minor aches and pains due to:
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headache
-
muscular aches
-
minor pain of arthritis
-
toothache
-
backache
-
the common cold
-
menstrual cramps
Acetaminophen is also used to temporarily relieve pain due to premenstrual cramps.
Remember! Even if you're in a lot of pain, it's not safe to take more medicine than the label says. And not all pain relievers are appropriate for everyone. Consider your health conditions.
Can I take these at the same time?
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen contain different active ingredients. There may be times when these OTC pain relievers can be taken together, but you should always talk to your healthcare professional before taking more than one type of medicine in 24 hours.
Important warnings
Ibuprofen: If you take more than directed or for longer than directed, the risk of stomach bleeding increases.
Acetaminophen: If you take too much (more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours), you could harm your liver.
This is not a full list of warnings. Check the Drug Facts label on your medicine’s carton for a full list of warnings. Download and save a guide to Drug Facts labels.
Dosage directions
It is not safe to apply the dosing directions from one pain reliever to another. Download and save this OTC pain reliever dosage chart to ensure you take these pain relievers safely.
Ibuprofen: For your safety, do not take more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours.
Acetaminophen: For your safety, do not take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours.
Aspirin: Bayer® Extra Strength
Ibuprofen: Motrin® IB, Advil®
Are these NSAIDs? (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Uses
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains due to:
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headache
-
muscle pain
-
minor pain of arthritis
-
toothache
-
the common cold*
-
menstrual cramps
Ibuprofen is also used to temporarily reduce fever and relieve minor aches and pains due to backache.
Remember! Even if you're in a lot of pain, it's not safe to take more medicine than the label says. And not all pain relievers are appropriate for everyone. Consider your health conditions.
*Aspirin's Drug Facts Label indicates that aspirin, "temporarily relieves pain and fever of colds”
Can I take these at the same time?
Taking more than one NSAID at a time increases your risk of stomach bleeding.
Additionally, if you take aspirin to help protect against heart attack or stroke, ibuprofen can decrease aspirin’s heart health benefits.
Take ONLY 1 medicine that contains an NSAID at a time.
Important warnings
Aspirin and Ibuprofen: If you take more than directed or for longer than directed, the risk of stomach bleeding increases.
This is not a full list of warnings. Check the Drug Facts label on your medicine’s carton for a full list of warnings. Download and save a guide to Drug Facts labels.
Dosage directions
It is not safe to apply the dosing directions from one NSAID to another. Download and save this OTC pain reliever dosage chart to ensure you take these pain relievers safely.
Aspirin: For your safety, do not take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours.
Ibuprofen: For your safety, do not take more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours.
Naproxen sodium: Aleve®
Ibuprofen: Motrin® IB, Advil®
Are these NSAIDs? (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Naproxen sodium: Yes
Ibuprofen: Yes
Uses
Naproxen sodium and ibuprofen both temporarily reduce fever and relieve minor aches and pains due to:
-
headache
-
muscular aches
-
minor pain of arthritis
-
toothache
-
backache
-
the common cold
-
menstrual cramps
Remember! Even if you're in a lot of pain, it's not safe to take more medicine than the label says. And not all pain relievers are appropriate for everyone. Consider your health conditions.
Can I take these at the same time?
Taking more than one NSAID at a time increases your risk of stomach bleeding.
Take ONLY 1 medicine that contains an NSAID at a time.
Important warnings
Naproxen sodium and Ibuprofen: If you take more than directed or for longer than directed, the risk of stomach bleeding increases.
This is not a full list of warnings. Check the Drug Facts label on your medicine’s carton for a full list of warnings. Download and save a guide to Drug Facts labels.
Dosage directions
It is not safe to apply the dosing directions from one NSAID to another. Download and save this OTC pain reliever dosage chart to ensure you take these pain relievers safely.
Naproxen sodium: For your safety, do not take more than 660 mg in 24 hours.
Ibuprofen: For your safety, do not take more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours.