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Ibuprofen vs. Percocet

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

Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) is a combination opioid medication. It's used to treat pain when non-opioid medications aren't working well enough to control pain. It's a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse, dependency, and addiction.

• Pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid pain medications alone

• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Itching

• Potential for addiction and misuse
• Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
• Opioid overdose
• Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
• Liver damage
• Drug interactions
• Harm to newborn babies
• Severe allergic and skin reactions
• Physical dependence and withdrawal
• Low blood pressure
• Low adrenal hormone levels
• Seizures