Same

Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are drugs with the same function, namely as a pain reliever. Maybe you think that the three are the same, because both are drugs to treat pain. Apparently, there are differences from aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen.

Check out the reviews below to find out what type of medication is more suitable for relieving the pain you are experiencing.

Difference between acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen

When it comes to headaches, back, or other parts, you may immediately take painkillers. Unfortunately, not all pain relievers are the same, you have to adapt it to your condition.

Well, in general, people are more familiar with aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen as pain relievers. Two of them, namely aspirin and ibuprofen, are included in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Drugs with the NSAID category are usually used to relieve menstrual or tooth pain and disorders of the joints, muscles, nerves and tendons. Meanwhile, acetaminophen is more useful in people who experience pain during the flu.

However, all three are both used to reduce fever. So that you better recognize what are the differences between aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen, let's review them one by one.

1. How it works

Although all three are included in painkillers, aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen certainly work differently.

Aspirin and ibuprofen

As NSAID drugs, aspirin and ibuprofen can inhibits prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals in the body that are similar to hormones. This substance is useful in the reproductive system and wound healing, including relieving pain.

Usually, these chemical compounds are produced during menstruation and stimulate the uterine muscles to contract. If the levels are too high, prostaglandins can cause menstrual pain and arthritis.

Acetaminophen

If aspirin blocks the production of prostaglandins, it's acetaminophen increase prostaglandin compounds in the brain human to let your pain subside.

Acetaminophen is better at treating fever than ibuprofen or aspirin. In addition, acetaminophen is safe to use for pregnant women and their babies.

2. Dosage for use

One of the other things that is another difference between aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen is the dosage used. Although the function is the same, each drug has a different safe dosage.

Aspirin

Normally, the average adult dose is 325-1000 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours as needed. If you are taking this medicine, do not take more than 4 grams per day.

For children, their safe dose of aspirin is 10-15 mg per kilogram every four to six hours. However, it is recommended not to be consumed by children under 18 years of age.

Acetaminophen

In fact, the dose of acetaminophen in adults is almost the same as the dose for aspirin, which is 325-100 mg every four to six hours. In addition, the daily consumption of acetaminophen should not be more than 4 grams.

However, usually giving acetaminophen to children in liquid form because it reacts faster and is easier to drink.

Ibuprofen

If aspirin and acetaminophen have the same dosage, ibuprofen has a different dosage rule with the two. The dose of ibuprofen in adults is 200-400 mg every four to six hours.

Daily use is limited to no more than 3.2 grams per day to prevent overdose.

3. Side effects

After knowing the difference between aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen in the dosage used, identify what side effects are caused by these three drugs.

Aspirin

As reported from the page U.S National Library of MedicineThere are several side effects when you take aspirin, namely:

• Diarrhea
• Itchy rash
• Abdominal pain
• Skin rash
• Nausea

You may even experience hearing loss or ringing in your ears. If this happens, you should immediately go to the emergency room as this could be a sign of a drug overdose.

Therefore, before taking aspirin, you should consult your doctor first, especially those with ulcers, pregnant women, and those with bleeding problems.

Acetaminophen

In fact, acetaminophen is a pain reliever drug that has few side effects when taken as recommended. However, when someone uses it excessively, it will certainly cause various side effects, such as:

• Nausea
• Stomach ache
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Skin rash and itching
• Soil colored bowel movements
• Dark urine

Taking too much acetaminophen can increase the risk of liver damage, especially in alcoholics. This is because alcohol makes the body have a lower level of acetaminophen tolerance, so the dose is reduced to 2 grams per day.

Ibuprofen

There are several other side effects that you should be aware of, namely:

• Dizzy
• Eye irritation and impaired vision
• Swelling of the ankles.
• Moderate allergic reaction.
• Tingling and numbness in the feet and hands
• Urinating frequently

If the differences between aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen above still make you confused about which one to choose, ask your doctor or pharmacist when buying the drug.