Ibuprofen vs Paracetamol - Which Is Better?

Paracetamol is an over-the-counter medication used for pain relief and to reduce fever. It is also known as acetaminophen and is available under a number of brand names, such as Panadol and Tylenol. It is one of the most widely used pain relievers in the world.

It works by blocking the production of certain chemicals in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It is available in both syrup form (for children and adults) and tablet form. It is typically used to reduce fever and also used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. 

How paracetamol works is fairly similar to classical NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, that act by inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes; and especially similar to selective COX-2 inhibitors. Paracetamol inhibits prostaglandin synthesis by reducing the active form of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, reducing pain and inflammation. However, it is important to note that paracetamol does not have anti-inflammatory effects like ibuprofen; it only reduces pain and fever. The anti-inflammatory action of paracetamol (via COX inhibition) has also been found to primarily target the brain and not other areas of the body, explaining the lack of side effects associated with conventional NSAIDs such as gastric bleeding.

Paracetamol also reduces fever by blocking the production of prostaglandins in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates body temperature. Prostaglandins are chemicals that can cause inflammation, and when produced in the hypothalamus, they can cause an increase in body temperature, resulting in fever. As discussed above, when paracetamol is taken, it blocks the action of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX) in the hypothalamus, which is responsible for producing prostaglandins. By blocking this enzyme, paracetamol reduces the amount of prostaglandins produced, which in turn reduces the fever.

It is important to note that paracetamol does not lower the core body temperature directly, it works by reducing the hypothalamus set point temperature, which is the temperature the brain wants the body to be. The body will then work to reduce the temperature by sweating, and moving blood to the extremities to lose heat.

It is also worth noting that fever is a natural response of the body to fight off infections and other illnesses, and in most cases, it’s not necessary to lower the fever, but if the fever becomes too high it can cause discomfort, or in some cases can be dangerous, that’s when taking paracetamol can help alleviate the symptoms.

Side Effects Of Paracetamol

Paracetamol may rarely cause allergic reactions; and symptoms may include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face, eyes, lips or tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Skin rashes

Patients who overdose on Paracetamol may have an increased risk of liver problems. Signs of potential liver damage include:

• Nausea, sudden weight loss and appetite loss
• A yellow coloration of the eyes and skin
• Unexplained bruising of the skin or bleeding from the mouth, gums or nose