What is the difference between ibuprofen and acetaminophen?

Question

I knows there's a difference between them, but I don't know what it is...

one more question, which one could cause reye's syndrome if you have chicken pox, aspirin, or ibuprofen? i can't remember...

Answer 1

Ibuprofen(and aspirin) are in a class of drugs called Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatories or NSAIDs. They act by binding to a pair of proteins called COX1 and COX2 which are present in most tissue. These are key in blood clotting and producing chemicals that inflame the tissue. When these enzymes are blocked, tissue inflammation is reduced. Both aspirin and ibuprofen are implicated in Reye's syndrome when given to young children with viral infections.

Acetaminophen is actually a unique drug. It binds to and inhibits an enzyme called COX3, which was relatively unknown until recently. COX3 is not present in tissues, it's present in nerve cells. Somehow, blocking this enzyme prevents nerves from relaying pain signals as well.

Answer 2

Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen are both Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs. However Acetaminophen (Tylenol) does not act peripherally. Hence it lowers fever and causes analgesia by acting in the brain. Acetaminophen will not take away inflammation in your swollen ankle, like ibuprofen would. Similarly, Acetaminophen would not adversely affect your stomach or kidneys like ibuprofen.

Aspirin is similar to ibuprofen, except, aspirin is a noncompetititive COX inhibitor whereas ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are competitive ones.

Aspirin can cause Ryes syndrome in febrille children.

Answer 3

Actually Acetaminophen is NOT an NSAID (non-steroidal antiinflamatory drug). as the first poster noted, it only acts in the CNS and has no action against peripheral cyclooxygenase enzymes that are involved in inflamation.