![Advil, Tylenol, Aspirin: what are the differences and for what ailments to take them?](https://img.passeportsante.net/1000x526/2014-03-24/i67415-advil-tylenol-aspirin-quelles-sont-les-differences-et-pour-quels-maux-les-prendre.jpg)
May 7, 2010 – Who doesn’t occasionally take Tylenol®, Advil®, Doliprane® or Aspirin® brand pain relievers? Although they are all over the counter, each of these pain relievers has its own specific properties when it comes to relieving a particular symptom.
According to pharmacist Jean-Yves Dionne1, the use of analgesics should be used to treat minor ailments.
“These over-the-counter drugs are there to relieve acute or recurring pain, not chronic pain: to treat a major problem, you have to see your doctor,” he says.
Three main categories
There are 3 main types of pain relievers on the tablets:
- paracetamol (= acetaminophen: Tylenol® or Doliprane® for example);
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen such as Advil® and Motrin®, or acetylsalicylic acid, such as Aspirin®);
- topical products, which are applied to the skin (Myoflex®, Antiphlogistine®, etc.) and which have a double action: analgesics and rubefacens (heat).
For each pain its analgesic?
Here is an overview of the ailments that can be relieved with paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (= NSAIDs: ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid).
Headache or headache : paracetamol, ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid all have the same effectiveness.
Migraine : at the time of the aura, ibuprofen can alleviate the pain. Afterwards, pain relievers are unnecessary.
Hangover |
Sinusitis : all products combining paracetamol or ibuprofen with a decongestant provide equal relief. However, they cannot treat sinusitis. Warning: the decongestant contains pseudoephedrine, a substance that should be avoided if you have high blood pressure.
Sore muscles, back pain, body aches : All pain relievers reduce the pain that occurs after a cold or after physical exertion. But if it is a muscle spasm, it is necessary to favor an anti-inflammatory combined with a muscle relaxant based on methocarbamol (Robax Platinum®, for example).
Joint pain : If the pain is attributable to an injury, then the inflammation must be reduced. To do this, ice is first used (10 to 15 minutes every hour or 2 hours). Subsequently, we will take an anti-inflammatory according to the dosage.
To note : there are 3 signs of inflammation:
- redness
- heat
- swelling
If it is a chronic pain attributable to tendonitis or bursitis, for example, paracetamol is to be preferred since inflammation is not the cause.
“You can also take willow extract, in the natural products section: it works and it prevents stomach problems,” says Jean-Yves Dionne.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis : we will choose paracetamol first. In the event of an inflammatory outbreak, anti-inflammatory drugs taken by mouth or applied locally will be preferred.
Note that the use of paracetamol does not cure osteoarthritis or arthritis: it only reduces pain.
Menstrual pain : for quick relief, all analgesic products are equivalent, with a slight preference for anti-inflammatory drugs.
But in the longer term, taking an omega-3 supplement rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may help. “EPA decreases inflammation in the long term and, after 2 or 3 menstrual cycles, can reduce pain,” adds the pharmacist.
Toothache : Ibuprofen is more effective than paracetamol, due to its anti-inflammatory action. On the natural health side, clove oil may also be effective.
Original or generic product?
Pharmacologically, generic (or homemade) products are supposed to be as effective, since they have a “bioequivalent” composition, according to Jean-Yves Dionne.
But, the original product has a psychological connotation that promotes the placebo effect “which is part of any treatment that works,” he argues. “So if you think the original product is more effective for you, why go without it?” “
Beware of the risk of toxicity
Finally, despite their usefulness, pain relievers can be contraindicated and toxic in some cases. Hence the importance of taking the time to read the labels of these products.
- Paracetamol overdose : risk of irreversible damage to the liver, due to the phenomenon of hepatic necrosis. Do not exceed the dosages.
- Overdose of anti-inflammatory drugs : risk of irritation, or even stomach ulcer, in acute overdose. If the overdose is frequent, there is a risk of irritation of the digestive system and ulcers.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. This article summarizes 2 audio podcast clips produced with Jean-Yves Dionne. The first podcast discusses the differences between types of pain relievers. To listen to it: https://medias.passeportsante.net/balado/capsule_sante-jyd-2010.mp3. The second podcast – which will be online Monday, May 10 – shows which pain relievers to use based on symptoms.