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Whether you have a headache or joint pain, a strained muscle or menstrual cramps, it’s easy to reach for a pill to dull the pain.
Is Advil The Same As Tylenol
Tylenol, Advil, and other over-the-counter pain relievers are almost always on hand. Most of us have a bottle tucked away in our medicine cabinet or purse and it’s just a quick trip to our local pharmacy or corner store to stock up.
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But while these drugs are as easy to buy as a carton of milk, the pills are not without their risks.
A recent study by Danish researchers suggests that ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil, may increase the risk of cardiac arrest in some people.
In an accompanying press release, the authors of the study call for restrictions on the drug, including restricting the sale of ibuprofen to pharmacies so that people can consult their pharmacists about its safety.
Tylenol also continues to make headlines linking the common pain reliever to an increased risk of liver damage when taken in higher-than-recommended doses. In 2016, Health Canada issued new labeling rules for acetaminophen, an ingredient in Tylenol, in part to emphasize the importance of using the lowest possible dose to avoid harm.
Tylenol Vs Advil
Rather than deterring people from using over-the-counter pain relievers, reports of drug-related harms should serve as a reminder that all drugs—no matter how commonly used or how easy they are to buy—should be used with some caution. caution, says Michelle Arnot, Eng. associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Toronto.
“But I don’t think so, because they’re so ingrained in our culture. We see them advertised everywhere, they’re over the counter; we believe they’re safe without a doubt.”
But as with other drugs, over-the-counter pain relievers are only safe when other factors, such as the dose of the drug and the individual’s health, are taken into account.
“They are safe for most of the population at some point in their lives,” says Arnot. “But it depends on what’s going on medically.”
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“It’s about taking the right medication, at the right time, and for the right amount of time.”
Allan Malek, a Toronto pharmacist with nearly three decades of experience, says people with any questions or concerns about drugs should talk to their family doctor or pharmacist.
“Even if you’re at home and you have a question, pick up the phone and call,” says Malek, who is senior vice-president of professional affairs at the Ontario Pharmacists Association.
The biggest problem Malek sees in his pharmacy is that people are buying more over-the-counter medicines that contain paracetamol to make them feel better.
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“If someone takes eight extra-strength Tylenol tablets in one day, plus a cold medicine with Tylenol, they are over the daily maximum limit. That’s when you get to toxic levels and risk liver damage.”
Arnot agrees that people need to read over-the-counter drug labels carefully to make sure they don’t inadvertently double or triple the dose of a particular drug.
“Unless you’re under a doctor’s care, you shouldn’t take ibuprofen every day long-term, especially if you have cardiovascular problems or a family history of cardiovascular problems… You want to get the maximum benefit from the drug with the least amount of risk.”
How it works: Acetaminophen works by blocking pain associated with inflammation. It generally does not reduce inflammation itself.
Tylenol=acetaminophen: Don’t Take Too Much!
When to use it: A good choice for headaches, general aches and pains, and reduces the fever that comes with the flu or common cold. It is considered to be gentler on the stomach than other pain relievers.
When to avoid it: Acetaminophen is broken down in the liver. This is why people with liver or kidney disease may want to avoid this drug; if the liver is not working well, the drug will not be broken down properly, which can lead to a toxic build-up of the drug.
Choose a different hangover headache remedy to give your liver a break as it is already hard at work breaking down the alcohol in your system. People who drink three or more alcoholic beverages each day should also avoid acetaminophen to reduce the risk of liver disease.
Maximum daily dose for adults: 4,000 mg; the equivalent of 8 extra strength Tylenol pills or 12 regular pills.
Advil Extra Strenght Liqui Gels 400mg (2 X 75 S), 150 Count
How it works: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, work by targeting specific enzymes in the body that are involved in inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen reduces pain because it reduces inflammation.
When to use: For pain caused by osteoarthritis, muscle strain and headaches, fever, menstrual cramps, toothache and other pain caused by inflammation.
When to avoid it: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs target the same enzymes that also help protect the lining of the stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In high doses, it can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and stomach ulcers. People with inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease, colitis, and ulcers, should avoid this drug. Likewise those with kidney and liver problems and bleeding disorders.
Long-term use of NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you or your family have a history of cardiovascular disease.
Advil Vs. Tylenol: Which To Use And When
Maximum daily dose for adults: 1,200 mg; equivalent to 3 extra strength tablets. Health Canada says that ibuprofen “should be used for a short period of time (seven days or less).
When to use: In higher doses for mild to moderate pain, headache, fever. At a low daily dose, Aspirin thins the blood and can be used to reduce the risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke.
When to avoid it: Like other NSAIDs, Aspirin can irritate the stomach and GI tract and slow blood clotting. Avoid it if you have a history of ulcers or bowel disease, blood disorders or are prone to bleeding, and have liver or kidney disease.
Consider another pain reliever if you have heartburn or a sensitive stomach; some versions of Aspirin are coated, which reduces stomach irritation.
Advil, Tylenol And Other Over The Counter Painkillers Come With Risks
SOURCES: Health Canada; Michelle Arnot, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Toronto; Allan Malek, Pharmacist and Senior Vice President of Professional Affairs of the Ontario Pharmacists Association.
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Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com My doctor told me to take Advil for my recent knee injury, but all I have at home is Tylenol. Is it ok to take instead?
Aleve Vs. Advil: What’s The Difference?
Advil is a brand name for ibuprofen, as is Motrin. Ibuprofens are a type of NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Aleve is the brand name of naproxen, another type of NSAID. These types of drugs are often used on injuries because of the anti-inflammatory component. Tylenol is the brand name for acetaminophen, which relieves pain and reduces fever, but has no anti-inflammatory properties. Your doctor most likely recommended Advil because it can help with the swelling and inflammation that often occurs after an injury or sprain. Ibuprofen should not be used in people with kidney problems and acetaminophen should not be used in people with liver problems, so be sure to ask your doctor before using these medications if you have any concerns.
I am 30 years old and recently had my second child. While breastfeeding, I felt a soft mass in my left breast. My mother and my aunt have a history of breast cancer in their 40s. What should I do?
Breast mass in any patient requires further assessment by your physician. After taking a thorough history and breast exam, your doctor will likely request a mammogram or ultrasound to further evaluate this mass. Although it’s comforting to know that most postpartum breast masses are benign, don’t wait until you stop breastfeeding to get your lump checked.
Breast self-examination is an important way to identify breast masses that may be cancerous early, and early detection increases the likelihood of successful treatment. I commend you for finding this matter through self-examination. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is an essential step you should take for yourself regularly.
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Women should have their first baseline mammogram at age 35, followed by annual mammograms starting at age 40. You have a family history of breast cancer at a very young age, so you may need to start screening mammograms at an earlier age. I would also recommend that you discuss with your doctor whether genetic testing may be indicated. Two crossed lines that form an “X”. Shows the way to
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