{"id":630208,"date":"2024-10-24T14:08:39","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T18:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630208"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:40:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:40:46","slug":"tylenol-or-ibuprofen-for-back-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/tylenol-or-ibuprofen-for-back-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Which pain reliever is best for back pain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many people experience back pain as they get older. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with 619 million people saying they experienced low back pain over the course of a year, according to the <\/span>World Health Organization<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although rehabilitation is the most beneficial, the most accessible treatment option is over-the-counter<\/span> pain relievers<\/span>. Two of the most popular choices for reducing back pain are <\/span>Tylenol<\/span> (<\/span>acetaminophen<\/span>) and <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span>, but which one is better for back pain? Below, we’ve talked to the experts to find out which is best for all types of back pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is <\/span>Tylenol<\/span> or <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> better for back pain? <\/span><\/h2>\n

“Both <\/span>acetaminophen<\/span> and <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> can help with back pain, but they work differently and have different <\/span>side effects<\/span>,” said Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Chief Medical Advisor for <\/span>Fortune Recommends Health<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before deciding between <\/span>Tylenol<\/span> and <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> to treat your back pain, it can be helpful to understand how both medications work. <\/span>Acetaminophen<\/span>, sold under the <\/span>brand name<\/span> Tylenol<\/span>, is an <\/span>analgesic<\/span><\/a> that reduces pain and fevers. <\/span>Ibuprofen<\/span>, which can be sold under the <\/span>brand names<\/span> Advil<\/span> <\/a>or <\/span>Motrin<\/span>, is a <\/span>nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>NSAID<\/span>) that helps <\/span>reduce inflammation<\/span><\/a>, pain, and <\/span>fever<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Certain cases of back pain may be caused by inflammation, so opting for <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> over <\/span>Tylenol<\/span> would be beneficial in these scenarios. One example is arthritis, which is caused by inflammation in the joints. While other common causes of back pain, like degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, scoliosis, and strain, are not caused by inflammation, but <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> can still help treat the pain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, research recommends <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> over <\/span>Tylenol<\/span> for the most back <\/span>pain relief<\/span>. <\/span>A review<\/span><\/a> of over 135 studies found that <\/span>nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs<\/span>, like <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span>, may be more effective at treating spine pain. However, researchers noted this should be for <\/span>short-term<\/span> use with lower doses.<\/span><\/p>\n

The European Journal of Pain also determined that <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> was typically the better choice for a variety of pain conditions in its 2015 <\/span>systematic review<\/span><\/a>. When comparing paracetamol (<\/span>acetaminophen<\/span>) and <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span>, its meta-analysis found that “at standard doses in different painful conditions, <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> was usually superior.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety and potential <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

As with any medication, there are potential <\/span>side effects<\/span> to consider. Before taking any new medication, it’s always important to consult your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span>. They can even help design a personalized <\/span>pain management<\/span> plan, considering your current medications, back pain symptoms, and other health concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rare <\/span>side effects<\/span> of <\/span>Tylenol<\/span><\/h3>\n

Side effects<\/span> from normal doses of <\/span>Tylenol<\/span> are rare. The following are signs of allergic reactions or <\/span>liver damage<\/span>. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical help.<\/span><\/p>\n