The following article was written by Hayley Jackson, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC. A board-certified family nurse practitioner, Hayley provides Express Care Services at Wood River Health. She is passionate about holistic patient-centered care, lifestyle medicine and women’s health.
During cold and flu season it can be common to experience a fever associated with other common cold symptoms. When this occurs, we often reach for over-the-counter fever-reducing medications. Sometimes it can be confusing to understand which one to take and the difference between them. Below we will discuss the two medications that I see patients use most often in my practice—Tylenol and ibuprofen.
Tylenol (or Acetaminophen)
This medication is available over the counter in pill, capsule, and liquid forms and is available for young babies up to older adults. Tylenol helps to treat pain and reduce fever. Tylenol can be taken a bit more frequently than ibuprofen, please reference a medical professional or product guidelines for personalized dosing.
Who may not want to take this?
Tylenol is broken down mostly by the liver. For this reason, patients who have significant liver disease may want to discuss this medication with their primary care provider. There may be certain medication interactions that should also be reviewed with a doctor.
Ibuprofen (or Advil/Motrin)
Ibuprofen is under the class of medications named NSAIDs (or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). This medication is available in pill, capsule, and liquid form to treat pain and fever with the added benefit of decreasing inflammation in the body. Certain conditions may be treated more effectively with ibuprofen such as menstrual cramps.
Who may not want to take this?
Ibuprofen is mostly metabolized by the liver and released from the body by the kidneys. It is also not recommended for babies under 6 months. Those with significant liver and kidney disease should consult their doctor before using it. Additionally, it can be irritating to the stomach which may impact someone with acid reflux, gastric illness, and stomach ulcers—this is why it is important to take this with food! NSAIDs may not be recommended for someone taking a blood thinner or with a history of heart disease. There are also other potential medication interactions with ibuprofen. Lastly, it is important to stay hydrated when taking ibuprofen to maintain good blood flow to the kidneys.
Overall, options at the pharmacy can be overwhelming at times. This is why it is important to have a basic understanding of over-the-counter medications to know what the safest option for you is! Sometimes these medications can be formulated with other medications—Nyquil is an example of this. If there is a question as to what is in a bottle, you can always turn it around to read the active ingredients or ask a medical professional or pharmacist.
Disclaimer
This article is not intended to treat, diagnose, or manage anyone’s physical or psychiatric health. This article is intended to create discussion, create community, and inform in a generalized sense. Please discuss your specific health and psychiatric concerns with your personalized team of professionals or emergency services if you feel this is appropriate.
