Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN versus ADVIL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN versus ADVIL.
ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN vs ADVIL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Acetaminophen is a centrally acting analgesic and antipyretic whose exact mechanism is not fully understood, but is thought to involve inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) in the brain and modulation of cannabinoid receptors. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that non-selectively inhibits COX-1 and COX-2, reducing prostaglandin synthesis.
Non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing pain, fever, and inflammation.
Oral: Acetaminophen 325 mg and ibuprofen 200 mg, 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed, not exceeding 6 tablets/24 hours.
200-400 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; maximum 1200 mg/day (OTC). For prescription: 400-800 mg orally 3-4 times daily; maximum 3200 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Acetaminophen: 2-3 hours (normal hepatic function). Ibuprofen: 2-4 hours (immediate-release); prolonged in overdose or hepatic impairment.
2-4 hours (terminal elimination half-life in adults; prolonged in overdose or renal impairment: up to 8-12 hours)
Acetaminophen: renal excretion of metabolites (glucuronide 55%, sulfate 30%, cysteine/mercapturate <10%); <5% unchanged. Ibuprofen: renal excretion of metabolites (conjugates) 90%; <10% unchanged; minor biliary/fecal.
Renal: ~95% (hepatic metabolites and conjugates, <1% unchanged); biliary/fecal: ~5%
Category D/X
Category C
NSAID
NSAID