Many overdose deaths are caused by the acetaminophen, not the opioid. Liver damage is also more likely if acetaminophen is combined with alcohol. It's in a host of products, both alone and in combination with other drugs. Brand names include:.
Some combination products containing aspirin are:. It's also an ingredient in some combination prescription opioids, including:. You've probably heard about taking daily low-dose aspirin for heart health, especially if you've had a heart attack or currently have heart disease.
It's useful because it prevents your blood from clotting. In people whose arteries are narrowed, a clot can block blood flow to your heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke. However, aspirin isn't safe for everyone, and as with any drug, you and your healthcare provider need to weigh the potential benefits and risks before deciding whether a daily aspirin regimen is right for you, and what dosage is appropriate.
Excess bleeding and upset stomach are common side effects of aspirin. Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding can occur. This happens most often in people who:. If taken during a heart attack, aspirin can significantly reduce the chance of death. On the other hand, it should not be taken if you are having a stroke as strokes may be caused by the rupture of a vein rather than by blockage. As such, aspirin can make a stroke worse by promoting bleeding. Aspirin should be avoided in children with fever due to the risk of Reye's syndrome , which is a form of encephalopathy a brain disease.
Ibuprofen is an NSAID used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation, and is commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of a migraine, menstrual cramps , or rheumatoid arthritis. Combination opioid products containing ibuprofen include:. This may be better for acute pain, like a new injury. The downside is that ibuprofen has to be taken more often than naproxen. It should be avoided in people with kidney or liver problems and may increase the risk of hypertension high blood pressure and heart attack if taken excessively.
Ibuprofen and all NSAIDs except aspirin may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke, which can happen suddenly and be fatal. Ibuprofen may also cause serious damage to the stomach or intestines, including bleeding, ulcers, or holes.
Naproxen sodium is an NSAID used to treat the same symptoms and conditions as ibuprofen pain, fever, inflammation, migraine, menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis. It's also sometimes used for the painful chronic conditions Paget's disease and Bartter syndrome. Prescription products containing naproxen include:. You also don't have to take it as often. This can make it a better choice if you need to take it regularly for pain from a chronic condition.
Another real advantage is that naproxen sodium is associated with fewer side effects than ibuprofen, meaning it's safer overall and you may be able to tolerate it if ibuprofen bothers you. Compared to ibuprofen, naproxen has a far higher risk of stomach ulcers. As such, it should be taken with food or avoided if you have a history of ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease IBD. Acetaminophen is the OTC pain reliever of choice for people with kidney disease because ibuprofen and naproxen can decrease kidney function and aspirin is associated with bleeding complications.
Even so, if your kidney function is impaired, use acetaminophen sparingly and under the care and supervision of your healthcare provider. You shouldn't take more than one drug from a class at a time because it increases your risk of side effects or overdose.
Acetaminophen is considered the safest OTC pain reliever to take while you're pregnant, but only for short-term use. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, birth defects were less common when acetaminophen was used during pregnancy than when NSAIDs or opioids were taken.
As with anything you take during pregnancy, be sure to talk to your obstetrician before using it. Acetaminophen is the OTC pain reliever recommended for people taking blood thinners , but even it should only be taken with the knowledge and oversight of your healthcare provider.
NSAIDs—and especially aspirin—can prevent clotting, so combining it with blood-thinning medications like Coumadin warfarin can increase your risk of severe and even fatal bleeding. When choosing the right pain reliever, it's important to look at the side effects and any potential drug interactions. Get advice from your healthcare provider as to which may be the best for you.
If you're in the drugstore and need some last-minute advice, particularly if you have medical conditions or take medications of any kind, you can also ask the pharmacist. Every medication can present a problem or two. Ibuprofen and naproxen can both cause an upset stomach, kidney damage, high blood pressure and inflammation or bleeding in the stomach.
Sutton says. Always check the labels for a list of all potential side effects. And be wary of signs of allergic reactions to a drug — which you may not find on a warning label.
If you experience any of these signs after taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen, you should get medical help right away :. Acetaminophen is the safest of the three drugs. But in rare cases, especially in people who drink alcohol routinely , too much acetaminophen can lead to liver damage. Acetaminophen is often an ingredient in many common over-the-counter medications for allergies, cold , cough and sleep. Certain conditions can lead to other side effects, too.
For children, there is no such blanket recommendation. The correct amount of medicine depends on the age and weight of your child. This information is not provided on adult bottles. In the correct doses — and at the right ages — acetaminophen and ibuprofen are safe for kids.
However, naproxen is not recommended for children younger than 12 years old. Make sure to check the labels, product websites or dosage charts as your child grows. Or download these dosage charts developed by The Iowa Clinic to have handy for future reference. Do not give acetaminophen to infants under 12 weeks of age. Once your baby is three months old, consult this chart to find the right dosage.
The most common forms are:. The doses recommended on the bottles are usually less than your child can actually take. Advil or Motrin ibuprofen. Adults can take up to mg of Advil every 6 hours, as needed: i. Ibuprofen vs. What ibuprofen and naproxen do. Side effects. Use with other conditions.
Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Medically reviewed by Zara Risoldi Cochrane, Pharm. Effects of Using Ibuprofen with Alcohol. Acetaminophen: How Are They Different? Medically reviewed by Lindsay Slowiczek, PharmD. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.
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