Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN versus EC NAPROSYN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN versus EC NAPROSYN.
ACETAMINOPHEN AND IBUPROFEN vs EC-NAPROSYN
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.
Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes, thereby reducing prostaglandin synthesis, which mediates inflammation, pain, and fever.
Oral: Acetaminophen 325 mg and ibuprofen 200 mg, 1-2 tablets every 6 hours as needed, not exceeding 6 tablets/24 hours.
500-1000 mg orally twice daily; maximum 1500 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.
Terminal elimination half-life 12-17 hours (mean 14 hours); prolonged in elderly and renal impairment
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%) as unchanged drug (10%) and conjugated metabolites (60%) and other metabolites (25%); biliary/fecal (5%)
Category D/X
Category C
NSAID
NSAID