---
title: "Ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html
source_license: "restricted (AHFS/ASHP licensed drug info on MedlinePlus): restated in own words, not copied"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: MedlinePlus / NLM, \"Ibuprofen (drug information)\" (restricted (AHFS/ASHP licensed drug info on MedlinePlus): restated in own words, not copied)."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: health
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Ibuprofen (drug information)"
    publisher: MedlinePlus / NLM
    url: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "restricted (AHFS/ASHP licensed drug info on MedlinePlus): restated in own words, not copied"
  - id: S2
    title: "Acetaminophen (drug information)"
    publisher: MedlinePlus / NLM
    url: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681004.html
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "restricted (AHFS/ASHP licensed drug info on MedlinePlus): restated in own words, not copied"
  - id: S3
    title: "OTC ibuprofen tablet label (Drug Facts), set_id 00653b7c-7099-487e-9a01-e89781c21323, effective 2026-04-29"
    publisher: FDA via openFDA / DailyMed
    url: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=00653b7c-7099-487e-9a01-e89781c21323
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S4
    title: "OTC acetaminophen extra-strength label (Drug Facts), set_id 0005aafa-08f8-4990-a54d-cc097195708f, effective 2026-01-02"
    publisher: FDA via openFDA / DailyMed
    url: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=0005aafa-08f8-4990-a54d-cc097195708f
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Ibuprofen vs. acetaminophen

## Summary
Both are over-the-counter pain relievers/fever reducers. Ibuprofen is an NSAID with stomach-bleeding and heart-attack/stroke warnings; acetaminophen is not an NSAID, and its main danger is severe liver damage from too much (over 4,000 mg in 24 hours), often from doubling up on products that contain it.

> **General information, not medical advice. See a clinician about your own situation; in an emergency call 911 (US).**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Both are used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains (headache, toothache, backache, menstrual cramps, colds, muscle aches, minor arthritis pain) and to reduce fever.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S2, S3, S4]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Ibuprofen is an NSAID; MedlinePlus says it reduces pain, fever, and inflammation.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  note: NSAID class is on the label; the inflammation statement is from MedlinePlus only.
- id: F3
  claim: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can cause severe stomach bleeding; risk is higher with use beyond directions, older age, heavy daily alcohol, prior ulcers/bleeding, blood thinners or steroids, or other NSAIDs.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  note: Label gives age 60+ and 3+ drinks/day; MedlinePlus says "older in age" and "large amounts of alcohol" and adds smoking and poor health.
- id: F4
  claim: NSAIDs other than aspirin raise the risk of heart attack and stroke (label also lists heart failure), more so at higher doses or longer use.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Avoid ibuprofen at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later unless a doctor specifically says to.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6
  claim: Acetaminophen relieves mild-to-moderate pain and reduces fever; it is not an NSAID (MedlinePlus classes it as an analgesic/antipyretic).
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S2, S4]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F7
  claim: Severe liver damage can occur with more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours; risk rises when combined with other acetaminophen products or 3+ alcoholic drinks a day.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S2, S4]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  note: Alcohol threshold is from the label.
- id: F8
  claim: Do not take two products containing acetaminophen at once; check labels for it.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S2, S4]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F9
  claim: For both, stop and ask a doctor if pain lasts over 10 days or fever over 3 days, or if they get worse.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S2, S3, S4]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F10
  claim: Ibuprofen users should stop and seek help for signs of stomach bleeding (fainting, bloody or black stools, vomiting blood) or heart/stroke symptoms (chest pain, slurred speech, trouble breathing, one-sided weakness).
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance beyond this summary
  where: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html; https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681004.html; https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=00653b7c-7099-487e-9a01-e89781c21323; https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=0005aafa-08f8-4990-a54d-cc097195708f
  access: open, no account

## Open issues (pre-review)
- Labels are one manufacturer each (generic Drug Facts); wording across brands is FDA-standardized but not checked for every product.