Tylenol ® vs Advil ® – Which One Is Better?

Seunga (Jasmine) Han, PharmD Candidate

The Million Dollar Question

“Which one is better? Tylenol^® or Advil^®?” This is a question that many healthcare professionals receive from their patients for various reasons such as a headache, pain, and fever. Is one safer than the other? Does one last longer, or work faster? Does it depend on what kind of pain you’re treating? If these are questions you have, then this is the perfect article for you, as we get down to the bottom of it all. 

Advil^®

Before we get to it, let’s talk about Advil,^®  the brand name medication for the medication ibuprofen. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of medication called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. So, it’s a good option for treating some of the following:¹

• Aches and pains (back, muscle, bones and joints)
• Headaches
• Menstrual pains
• Inflammation
• Fever

Just like any other medication, it comes with side effects such as:¹

• Heartburn
• Epigastric pain (pain in the upper stomach below your ribs)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Rash

Who Should Avoid Advil^®?

Because ibuprofen can cause heartburn and epigastric pain, those with active peptic ulcer disease or any history of ulceration or active inflammation in the digestive system should avoid its use. Additionally, if you’re already taking other NSAIDs (e.g. naproxen, aspirin), are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a high potassium level, ibuprofen should be avoided.¹

Moreover, in 2015, Health Canada issued an advisory warning on the use of ibuprofen at higher doses.² Doses greater than 2400 mg of ibuprofen was associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. This risk far outweighed the benefit of treating pain and inflammation, therefore it’s recommended that doses greater than 2400 mg per day should not be used in patients with a history of heart problems, or heart-related conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and smoking.²

Tylenol^®

Tylenol^® is a brand name for a medication called acetaminophen, and unlike Advil^® or ibuprofen, it doesn’t belong to the family NSAIDs. It can work to reduce pain and fever, but not inflammation. Naturally, its uses are limited to the following:

• Reduce mild to moderate pain (muscle, headache, back pain, menstrual pain)
• Reduce fever

Even though it’s not as effective for swelling and inflammation as ibuprofen, it’s well-tolerated with minimal side effects.³ However, just like many other products, with inappropriate use, it may lead to liver damage or even death.² It’s important not to exceed 4000 mg in a 24-hour period, not use for more than three days for fever and five days for pain, and not to mix with alcohol if drinking more than three drinks in a day. It’s also recommended that individuals with a history of liver problems be cautious when using acetaminophen. 

The Bottom Line

The final answer is: it depends! The answer to the question of which one is better depends on your individual factors, medical conditions, and what you’re trying to treat.

^{We hope you took away something valuable from this piece. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this article or others, feel free to reach out to us on Instagram, Facebook, or at ask@orbishealth.ca with your feedback. We’d love to hear from you.}

RESOURCES

1. RxTx
2. Health Canada
3. DynaMed Plus