I’m Dutch and I only take paracetamol when I cannot sleep or function due to pain/illness. I’ve never taken something stronger like Ibuprofen in my life. When I’m ill I usually just lie in bed and wait for it to blow over
You’re the second person I’ve seen saying that ibuprofen is stronger than paracetamol. Where does that come from?
It is slightly stronger, but the dose is smaller. A single dose of router either is roughy the same pain reduction, and similar damage for exceeding their recommended usage
Not sure. I’ve never used it but it always seems to be used as such, so I just assumed that was the case
It can be prescribed in much higher dosages, unlike paracetamol, but the regular over the counter stuff is the same.
200 ibuprofen = 250 paracetamol
Extra strength just doubles both
But prescription for ibuprofen can go up a bit from that. Never seen a higher prescription for paracetamol.
Is acetaminophen really considered to be less strong than ibuprofen? I’d always considered them to be equal with ibuprofen being safer.
In my Dutch social circle it is indeed, but don’t ask me why. Personally I dislike Ibuprofen, it always makes me feel queasy and upsets my stomach.
Always take it with food.
Reading the other comments, this seems to be more of a cultural thing than something based on facts. Ibuprofen seems to be taken in more serious situations. Personally I’ve never had it so I’m not sure. Paracetamol is more of a casual thing here. Many people, like me, would only take it when very ill. But I’ve definitely had a few classmates or colleagues who just take paracetamol whenever they have a slight headache or something.
Ibuprofen is also anti-inflammatory while paracetamol isn’t, so it can be used to reduce swelling (eg) rather than just for pain reduction
In the Netherlands, yes. Ibuprofen is considered “stronger” or at least more serious. Most of that is because the general consensus seems to be to take 2 paracetamol (1000mg) and if it doesn’t help, add 400mg of ibuprofen on top.
So, everyone sees it as “stronger” instead of complementary
Yep here in Dutchland many people think paracetamol is a safer version of aspirine. They don’t know paracetamol can get dangerous very quickly. Dutch hospitals often get patients into the ER with a possible paracetamol overdose.
Here is a toxicologist working in a Dutch hospital saying that https://youtu.be/P_Zt-xw7bME (has English subs)
