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Anti-inflammatory drug rivals: Why paracetamol can't compete with ibuprofen?
Acetaminophen is a commonly used non-opioid analgesic and fever reducer that is popular for treating mild to moderate pain and fever. But it often struggles to compete with ibuprofen when it comes to resolving heat or pain.
Although paracetamol is widely available, it is considered insufficiently effective in many cases.
The therapeutic effect of paracetamol
Paracetamol is effective in relieving mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, muscle pain, toothache, etc. However, it is not as effective as expected at controlling fever, especially in children. Studies have shown that paracetamol has limited effectiveness in relieving cold symptoms.
In contrast, ibuprofen is more effective at reducing fever, making it a preferred choice in many medical situations.
Fever control
There has been controversy in the medical community regarding the antipyretic effect of paracetamol. While acetaminophen can slightly lower body temperature, studies have shown that it is less effective than ibuprofen after a fever, especially for viral fevers.
Pain relief
Paracetaminophen has been shown to be less effective than ibuprofen when it comes to treating certain types of pain, such as post-dental pain. Clinical studies have shown that ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are significantly more effective than paracetamol in treating this type of pain.
Many studies have shown that acetaminophen has a negligible effect on arthritis and chronic pain, providing little if any significant improvement.
Security issues
Although short-term use of acetaminophen is considered relatively safe, the potential risks of long-term use are worth noting. Use in high doses can cause liver damage and other health problems, making it more likely to attract patients who require close monitoring.
More frequent acetaminophen use is associated with a significantly increased risk of multiple side effects, including kidney damage.
Choose the right pain reliever
When pain relief is needed, flexibility in drug selection is critical. For short-term or acute pain, ibuprofen may still be a better choice, while paracetamol is suitable for patients who cannot tolerate NSAIDs.
Facing future challenges
As medical research deepens, discussions about the effectiveness and safety of painkillers have become more complex. Healthcare providers need to consider each patient's specific situation and use the latest research as a guide when selecting the appropriate medication.
In today's clinical practice, the use of paracetamol has become increasingly cautious, especially when patients face fever or pain.
Although paracetamol occupies a place in the market, can it really meet the needs of patients in a long-term and stable manner?
