13/10/2025
💊 Ibuprofen vs Paracetamol – What’s the Difference?
Both ibuprofen and paracetamol (Panado) help with pain and fever — but they work in slightly different ways and are used for different reasons.
🌡️ Paracetamol (Panado, Calpol, etc.)
• Best for: fever, headaches, mild pain, colds and flu, sore throats.
• How it works: lowers fever and relieves pain by acting on the brain’s pain and temperature centres.
• Gentle on the stomach and safe for most people, including children and pregnant women (in correct doses).
• Avoid if: you have severe liver problems or take other medicines that affect the liver.
💪 Ibuprofen (Nurofen, Brufen, etc.)
• Best for: pain with inflammation – muscle aches, sprains, period pain, arthritis, or toothache.
• How it works: reduces inflammation, swelling, and pain.
• Take with food to protect your stomach.
• Avoid if: you have stomach ulcers, kidney problems, or certain heart conditions.
🩺 Can I take both?
Yes — sometimes doctors recommend alternating or combining them for better pain or fever control. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist first for correct timing and dosage, especially for children.
⭐ In short:
• Choose Paracetamol for general pain or fever.
• Choose Ibuprofen for pain with inflammation or swelling.
When in doubt — ask your healthcare professional before mixing or doubling doses.
Your safety comes first. 💙
-Drs Ferreira & Truter
💊 Ibuprofen vs Parasetamol – Wat is die verskil?
Beide ibuprofen en parasetamol (Panado) help om pyn en koors te verlig — maar hulle werk op verskillende maniere en word vir verskillende redes gebruik.
🌡️ Parasetamol (Panado, Calpol, ens.)
• Beste vir: koors, hoofpyn, ligte pyn, verkoues, of seer keel.
• Hoe dit werk: verlaag koors en verlig pyn deur op die brein se pyn- en temperatuurdele in te werk.
• Sag op die maag en veilig vir meeste mense, ook kinders en swanger vroue (in die regte dosisse).
• Vermy as: jy ernstige lewerprobleme het of medikasie gebruik wat die lewer beïnvloed.
💪 Ibuprofen (Nurofen, Brufen, ens.)
• Beste vir: pyn wat saam met ontsteking voorkom – soos spierpyn, verstuitings, menstruele pyn, artritis of tandpyn.
• Hoe dit werk: verminder ontsteking, swelling en pyn.
• Neem saam met kos om jou maag te beskerm.
• Vermy as: jy maagsere, nierprobleme of sekere hartsiektes het.
🩺 Kan ek albei gebruik?
Ja – soms beveel dokters aan om die twee af te wissel of saam te gebruik vir beter pyn- of koorsbeheer.
Vra egter altyd jou dokter of apteker oor die korrekte tydsberekening en dosisse, veral vir kinders.
⭐ In kort:
• Kies Parasetamol vir algemene pyn of koors.
• Kies Ibuprofen vir pyn met ontsteking of swelling.
Wanneer jy onseker is – vra eers jou gesondheidsorgverskaffer.
Jou veiligheid kom altyd eerste. 💙
– Drs Ferreira & Truter
