So, which one should you use? Haley Morrissey, a clinical pharmacist for OSF HealthCare, has a general rule of thumb. “If you have muscle or skeletal pain or inflammation, go with ibuprofen,” Haley said. “If it's just a regular headache, acetaminophen is good.”
Ibuprofen (trade names are Advil, Motrin, Midol) "targets inflammation, so it is particularly helpful for muscle pain, joint pain and sports injuries. For the winter, ibuprofen really comes in handy for sore throats.”
Some feel acetaminophen works better for them, whereas others find ibuprofen better relieves a headache. Muscle ache or pulled/strained muscle. Ibuprofen typically works better for this kind of pain relief, due to the anti-inflammatory effects.
If you're confused which to use, experts generally advise you to choose ibuprofen for inflammation and acetaminophen for just pain. If you aren't allergic and don't have liver problems, acetaminophen may be better for a simple headache than ibuprofen.
What is acetaminophen? This OTC medicine is not an NSAID; it can ease mild-to-moderate pain and bring down a fever, and it tends to cause fewer stomach problems than other OTC pain relievers. But, unlike NSAIDs, it does not treat inflammation.
Hospitals tend to prefer acetaminophen (Tylenol) as a fever reducer and pain reliever because it has fewer side effects than ibuprofen (Advil).
The best prescription muscle relaxants are baclofen, carisoprodol, methocarbamol, tizanidine, dantrolene, cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine, chlorzoxazone, and metaxalone. Naproxen (Aleve) is one of the strongest OTC medications for muscle pain, cramps, and spasms.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually safer for older adults than other pain medicines. Topical pain medicines (also called topical analgesics) can also help. When common pain medicines don't work to manage pain, your healthcare provider may suggest other medicines, such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants.
The results of this study reveal that intake of ibuprofen can decrease muscle soreness induced after eccentric exercise but cannot assist in restoring muscle function.
It's generally safe to take ibuprofen and Tylenol together because they work differently in the body and are cleared by different organs. You can also alternate between the two medications if your symptoms are spiking in-between doses of just one medication. Always follow the recommended dosing for both medications.
So, which one should you use? Haley Morrissey, a clinical pharmacist for OSF HealthCare, has a general rule of thumb. “If you have muscle or skeletal pain or inflammation, go with ibuprofen,” Haley said. “If it's just a regular headache, acetaminophen is good.”
Heat And Cold Packs
Alternating ice and heat therapy can be an effective way to ease muscle and joint pain. This method can help increase blood flow to muscles, loosen stiff joints and distract the brain from pain.
Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is an anti-inflammatory that can help treat pain, inflammation and fever. It may work better for certain symptoms or conditions. “I often recommend ibuprofen for menstrual cramps and sore muscles,” explains Dr. Miller.
The most common types of OTC pain medicines are acetaminophen, aspirin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Acetaminophen, on the other hand, is effective for general pain relief, such as headaches, toothaches, and general aches and pains. It also reduces fever and is less likely to cause stomach irritation, making it a better option for those with stomach issues.
How often can I take it? In adults, the prescription dose of ibuprofen is 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 600 to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed, with a maximum dose of 3200 mg per day. The over-the-counter ibuprofen dose is 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 1200 mg per day.
TYLENOL® does not impact the COX pathways that affect kidney function the way that NSAIDs can. In kidneys with some degree of dysfunction, NSAIDs' COX inhibition may4: Compromise renal function. Promote sodium and fluid retention.
Bananas, berries, spinach, and eggs are among the best foods for muscle recovery. Their nutrition profiles can help your muscles recover faster and even lessen next-day soreness. Stressing your muscles—regardless of your go-to exercise method—creates microscopic tears.
Supplementation with 1000 mg/d vitamin C for multiple weeks was shown to improve muscle force recovery and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness in untrained males following a 90 min intermittent run test [26].