Do you know if you should take paracetamol or ibuprofen?
A pharmacist has shared a simple trick to help you decide whether to take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief. Ash, also known as @ashthepharmacist, on social media, advises: “In an ideal world, neither, but sometimes the pain just can’t be managed without.”
He encourages people to watch his video to understand when to use each medication, the correct dosages, and whether they can be used together.
He warns: “Paracetamol or ibuprofen? Both of these are just for pain, but not in the same way.”
He explains that paracetamol is gentle on the stomach, making it suitable for those with stomach issues. However, it’s not effective for pain caused by inflammation.
On the other hand, ibuprofen fights inflammation, but isn’t suitable for those with stomach, kidney, or heart problems. His simple rule of thumb is: “Generally speaking, if it’s head up, I would go for paracetamol and shoulders down, I would go for ibuprofen.”
He concludes by answering the question of whether paracetamol and ibuprofen can be taken together, stating: “Yes, you can.”
He notes: “It’s a good way of managing pain” but warns that you need to take it in the right way.” The NHS warns: “It’s safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.”
