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Ibuprofen vs. Tylenol With Codeine

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that's used to temporarily relieve fever, pains, and aches in adults and children. In general, ibuprofen is taken by mouth every 4 to 8 hours, though the dosage depends on your age, weight, and other medical problems. Ibuprofen side effects include nausea, heartburn, and stomach pain, but taking it with food might help prevent these side effects. Ibuprofen is available over the counter and by prescription, depending on the strength you need.

Over-the-counter ibuprofen:

• Short-term relief of minor aches and pains due to headache, muscle aches, minor arthritis pain, toothache, backache, the common cold, or menstrual cramps
• Fever

Prescription ibuprofen:

• Mild-to-moderate pain
• Pain from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA)
• Pain from menstrual cramps

The following side effects were reported in up to 9% of people in clinical studies.

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Heartburn
• Dizziness
• Rash

• Stomach bleeding and ulcers
• Heart attack and stroke
• High blood pressure and heart failure
• Kidney damage
• Liver problems
• Severe allergic reactions
• Harm to unborn babies
• Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - chewable tablets only

Tylenol with Codeine (acetaminophen / codeine), also known as Tylenol #3, is a combination opioid medication. Both acetaminophen and codeine treat mild-to-moderate pain by blocking pain signals in the body. This medication is taken by mouth, typically every 4 hours as needed. Tylenol with Codeine is available as a tablet and liquid. Like other opioids, Tylenol with Codeine can cause common side effects like sleepiness, dizziness, and constipation. It also has a warning for dangerous breathing problems and risk of dependence and misuse.

• Treatment of mild-to-moderate pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid pain medications alone

• Drowsiness
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Trouble breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Sweating

• Potential for dependence and misuse
• Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
• Risk of accidental overdose
• Harm to newborn babies
• Serious medication interactions
• Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
• Liver damage
• Severe allergic and skin reactions
• Seizures
• Low blood pressure
• Low adrenal hormone levels
• Caution in certain medical conditions
• Withdrawal