slo’s TUESDAY 8/16 poll - Tylenol vs Advil vs Aleve vs Aspirin

[JLTraveling]

Advil all the way! I try not to take too much though, because my dad got an ulcer a few years ago from years of prescription ibuprofen. I'd hate to have to quit Advil altogether, because it's the only thing that really works on my menstrual cramps.

 

[Mysterian]

Usually Tylenol more than anything, but depends on the circumstances.

 

[disneychrista]

For my back pain Tylenol was the only thing that helps. For a head ache it’s Aleve &/or Advil. In general I mix and match. Never aspirin though, as it kills my stomach.

 

[RedAngie]

Generic ibuprofen, usually from Waalmaart.

 

[scbruno]

Mostly Aleve but Advil and Motrin as well.

 

[mrodgers]

Type of pain is key. Excedrin (or generic compare-to-excedrin) is my absolute go-to for headaches. That little caffeine kick really knocks it over the top.

Excedrin is also my go to for any pain relief needed in the mornings or early at work. That's when I like that caffeine kick. Later in the day, it's usually Advil for me.

Bicycle touring isn't exactly comfortable in the, ah, bottom area. After a couple days I usually pop 2 Excedrin in the morning and that takes care of it for the day. Obviously this is self induced pain and discomfort, so I'm not sure about the safety of popping 2 Excedrin each morning. However, I don't care much about that after 4 days of 70 miles on a bicycle each day, LOL.

 

[loves to dive]

It depends on the need. If its a regular headaches, usually aspirin. If it's a mega headache Tylonal extra strength. If it's a body ache for something like working in the yard and I want immediate relief, Advil. If it's going to be a long day on the rode in the truck pulling the fifth wheel, I take Aleve in advance. If it's the beginning of a Disney day, it's 2 advil and one aleve.

 

[fla4fun]

Tylenol and Aleve don’t do anything for me. Aspirin will work some, but I get the best results from Ibuprofen. I usually keep a large, store brand bottle around the house and a standard size bottle in my purse.

 

[Disneylover99]

I carry extra strength Tylenol everywhere I go.

 

[E&Cmom]

Depends what it is for. Simple headache Acetaminophen ( generic). Muscle pains or injuries, menstrual cramps, anything involving inflammation Ibuprofen ( generic).

 

[tvguy]

I can't remember the last time I had a headache or any other need for any pain reliever. Just never have needed them.
My Primary Care Doctor says nobody should take anything other than Tylenol due to the issues NSAIDs can cause with your kidneys. And my Kidney Doctor has signs up in her office saying the exact same thing. I am on medicine for high blood pressure, to prevent damage to my kidneys. I had some kidney issues, after a kidney biopsy, they determine THAT medicine was what was causing the kidney issue. You can't win.
I used to take a baby aspirin every day, but stopped that last year.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I vary what I take. Excedrin migraine for headaches. It’s the only thing that works for me. Advil or generic ibuprofen for anything else.

 

[georgina]

I buy my ibuprofen at Costco in bulk. Works great for me as my issues are usually inflammation. My doctor told me to take it with food to prevent stomach problems.

 

[Kae]

I do a Advil /Tylenol combo.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So a while back I was looking into it because I pretty much have always taken ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is better overall to take vs Acetaminophen although Acetaminophen is in a lot of meds.

Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory but also helps with pains and is a fever reducer as well. You can take Acetaminophen for headaches and stuff but if you're looking for anti-inflammatory ibuprofen is best. Individual bodies however may react differently but studies seem to support Ibuprofen for being more encompassing.

Both however can be hard on the body over time so both are "use with caution" and can't be used if someone has pre-existing health issues like related to the kidney or liver or other things.

Most often I'm taking ibuprofen for period cramps which that is one of the best things to take for that.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I can't remember the last time I had a headache or any other need for any pain reliever. Just never have needed them.
My Primary Care Doctor says nobody should take anything other than Tylenol due to the issues NSAIDs can cause with your kidneys. And my Kidney Doctor has signs up in her office saying the exact same thing. I am on medicine for high blood pressure, to prevent damage to my kidneys. I had some kidney issues, after a kidney biopsy, they determine THAT medicine was what was causing the kidney issue. You can't win.
I used to take a baby aspirin every day, but stopped that last year.

Tylenol is hard on your liver, ibuprofen/advil hard on your kidneys.

One of the things they recommend is alternating between these two IF you're needing to take them long term in a chronic way or in higher doses for these reasons. But neither are without risks. Your doctor should be telling you this, not telling you to exclusively use a different medication that can still be hurting your body..

 

[tvguy]

Tylenol is hard on your liver, ibuprofen/advil hard on your kidneys.

One of the things they recommend is alternating between these two IF you're needing to take them long term in a chronic way or in higher doses for these reasons. But neither are without risks. Your doctor should be telling you this, not telling you to exclusively use a different medication that can still be hurting your body..

Non-issue since I haven't taken any pain medicine in years. But it is interesting using Tylenol only is in the After Visit Summaries I have gotten this year from my Primary Care Doctor, Oncologist, Gastroenterologist, and Nephrologist so that apparently isn't an uncommon warning these days.
I know my wife's Aunt had issues with Tylenol and her liver. But she was taking 24 a day and we always figured the number, not the medication, was the issue.

 

[fly girl]

Ibuprofen is definitely my go-to.

 

[Kitty 34]

Advil now and then

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Non-issue since I haven't taken any pain medicine in years. But it is interesting using Tylenol only is in the After Visit Summaries I have gotten this year from my Primary Care Doctor, Oncologist, Gastroenterologist, and Nephrologist so that apparently isn't an uncommon warning these days.
I know my wife's Aunt had issues with Tylenol and her liver. But she was taking 24 a day and we always figured the number, not the medication, was the issue.

They both have warnings.

And both are not to be used by people with certain health conditions. Acetaminophen is in recent-ish study not as innocuous as once thought either.

Both have different uses. A doctor should be prescribing ibuprofen so long as a patient can take it for anti-inflammatory things. Like my mom for instance after her knee replacement surgery (both one) she was prescribed oxycotin (IIRC) but also to take Advil/Ibuprofen in between because ibuprofen helps with that. Tylenol would have been the incorrect medication both for pain relief and her situation post surgery.

The thing is your doctor shouldn't be prescribing just one medication in a universal way. They should be taking into consideration the pre-existing health of the patient, their age, and the reasons for their visit or pain.

Ibuprofen is the same as Acetaminophen in terms of dosage. Higher dosages and chronic usage of them can lead to health issues. It's why the advice is always to take as little/low dosage for the shortest time as needed.

I'm sure for you and your doctor it may have been finding out their patients, including you, were taking too high of a dosage or in a chronic way which builds and builds. This is the same for both medication. One of the biggest dangers is people not realizing how much other things contain acetaminophen because I think we're more used to warnings about NSAIDs. You have to be very careful to not end up with too high of a dosage daily if taking it separately and then taking medication with it.