This is so so so so true. Americans especially ww take more ibuprofen and excedrin in a month than surely you should in a lifetime.
I’m kinda in this meme. I went through one of those big bottles roughly every 1-2 months for 20 years. Sometimes 12 pills in one day, with 4-8 acetaminophen on top (they do giant double packs of those too). Chronic migraines, but every doctor I asked for help just told me to lose weight so it went untreated and got worse and worse. Our health care suuuucks.
I did lose the weight. It didn’t magically fix my migraines, or affect them at all. Insurance dicked me around for another year and a half while my neurologist tried to help every way she could, but we finally got it down to only one migraine a week. I’m truly glad for that, but I still think about the years of unnecessary suffering, and how much better it might be now if I’d been treated sooner.
You know what sucks as well? Taking too many painkillers against headaches actually causes headaches. Horrible ones at that. Glad to read that you’re feeling better, but that’s a real trap many people out there are stuck in.
Yup, it was the first thing we checked when I actually got treatment. I’m sure that didn’t help, but compared to the pain of the migraines it was negligible. Having to refrain from pain meds for a while to make sure was a hell of a ride though. I lasted about three months. The doctor was satisfied with 1-2 but I wanted to be damn sure.
I give people the same warning nowadays. Don’t take that stuff more than once a week.
Holy shit, how did you not die from stomach ulcers?
Prilosec presumably
Fun fact for Europeans: we call paracetamol acetaminophen
…but it is amid, not amin, no? Why do americans call it acetaminophen instead of acetamidophen?
Nope it’s amin according to Google.
I actually thought I spelled it wrong at first. Weird.
Nope it’s amin according to Google.
That’s why I ask. Americans call it “acetaminophen”, but compound doesn’t have amino-group and instead had amido-group.
IUPAC calls it as what it is: N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)acetamide
EDIT: my guess is that america uses another nomenclature for organic chemistry. As usual. Do they have compound called “freedom eagle guns”? I’m so used to amine meaning specifically R-NH2 and nothing else.
Idk I’m not a chemist. I thought the whole point of scientific standards was that everyone used the same name/units but we don’t even spell meter right in the states.
If those bottles are sold as a pair and each has 500 pills, 1000 pills is more than a hospital grade package in my country.
i had to take 3.2g of ibuprofen for years before i got my gout under control. then like magic, naproxen actually starting working for me. now its just 600mg of that for the same effect
Allopurinol for a change?
Two 500mg tablets of acetaminophen please, thank you
-A Certified American
Is it common for ibuprofen to not really help? With physical pain it does nothing for me. It kind of helps with head aches sometimes. I use it maybe a couple times a year, so it’s not tolerance.
There are several families of painmeds some more harmless than others. Anecdotally I know people that only seem to get relief from ibuprofen, and others that swear only paracetamol (Tylenol) helps, while again others sweat to asperin. Like the other person said… talk to a pharmacist about options, and see if others work for you.
Some like paracetamol can me taken over the course of a day for multiple days for example post operation… and they build a level that causes them to work even stronger. But paracetamol can cause lover damage if taken too much.
Like with all drugs, read the darn pamphlet. Opiates are not your friend and should only be taken very sparingly under proper supervision, if at all… sure they dull pain but are highly addictive.
Source, not a medical professional, so take what I wrote with a grain of salt and consult a professional.
Main benefit for acetaminophen(the American name for paracetamol) is that you can use it on top of an NSAID. That’s something you can’t do with aspirin. It’s good to stagger the dosage for something like a toothache or take both at once for a headache (this is what most OTC migraine medications are, an NSAID[usually aspirin], acetaminophen, and caffeine in one pill).
Noones talking about opiates though?
Can you post a source about acetaminophen building up over time the way you describe? It seems unlikely with such a short half life but I could be wrong.
It helps marginally better than placebo for me. Hence why Americans use it for fairly trivial aches and pains.
I can’t imagine it would do anything for pain I’d consider ‘serious’.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). It will reduce inflammation and the associated pain. If your pain is not caused by inflammation then you should talk to a pharmacist about what the best analgesic is for you.
Try taking it with a dose of acetaminophen. Those two have a synergistic effect that is better than either alone and is often used post surgery for that reason.
Tbh I usually take 600 mg instead of the 400mg. That usually gets it going for me
I agree with the sentiment but are 200mg common where you live? Here in Germany I always get 400mg packs.
Hi. American here with atypical trigeminal neuralgia.
I don’t even bother with analgesics for anything at this point. You hit 10 on the pain scale enough times and anything below 6 you mostly shrug off.
Unless I stub my toe. That shit hurts like a motherfucker.
People actually do that? I only take a few painkillers when I’m on my period.
If I’m sore I probably take 3 ibuprofen every 4 hours.
Americans be like
The pills will ease the Payne.
Is this a serious thing? It seems so normal here in the states.
I just don’t think it’s a good idea to take pills without asking a doctor, I’m not a medical professional
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
Is acetaminophen really considered to be stronger 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 the a toxicologist working in a Dutch hospital saying that https://youtu.be/P_Zt-xw7bME (has English subs)
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 long-term use.
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.
In the UK you’re limited to 32 pills of paracetamol(acetaminophen in NA) per purchase. Less if they’re high dose.
Yeah I got sick of buying the little packets and just ended up buying a bottle of 500 from the US. Pain in the fucking ass
Yes, it’s real. Just another case of “the European mind cannot comprehend”.
Ibuprofen is pretty fucking strong. I stick with CBD and paracetamol and I’m bedridden with a painful disease.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are roughly the same in theme of pain relief and harm in long-term use.
Paracetamol for me is better for headache and ibuprofen is better for muscular pain.
UK National Health Service Website:
FAQ: Can I take [X] for long periods?
[paracetamol]
It’s safe to take paracetamol regularly for many years as long as you do not take more than the recommended dose.
[ibuprofen]
If you still need ibuprofen after taking it for 10 days (or for 3 days if you’re under 18) check with your doctor before continuing. If you need to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid for a long time and you’re at risk of getting a stomach ulcer, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.
It seems like you’ve mistaken what “strong” means.
But I shouldn’t have said “long term”. The dangers of each are different.
Ibuprofen is relatively safe to go a bit over the recommended dose, but not over the recommended duration.
Paracetamol is relatively safe to go over the recommended duration, but not the recommended dose.
Yeah I just stick to hot railing fentanyl if I have a headache or something. Much less addictive.
Idk if you’re just saying this out of the blue or comparing what I’m saying to that.
But NSAID’s like ibuprofen are quite strong and have lots of side effects. Regular usage can have quite some negative impacts on health. In comparison CBD oil is pretty gentle.
To be fair we also have it much easier with our healthcare that doesn’t know the concept of sick-days. When you’re sick you just don’t go to work and your healthcare pays half your salary while your employer continues paying the other half.
So we can actually afford to stay home in bed and let our bodies do the work while we rest.
Screw your sick days! I’m gonna work myself into oblivion to be able to buy my big-ass coal-roller truck on credit and fill up my garage to the brim with crap that I’ll let someone else move when I die from a cheese and Ibuprofen overdose. 'Murica!!!
yes. Pain killers (if you take way too many) can be incredibly bad for your liver, and (while almost impossible with paracetamol and ibuprofen) you can become ‘immune’ to them, making them work less/not at all.
Yes, it’s a thing. The idea behind it is that you don’t want to become dependent on the pills to the point that they have less effect or that you feel worse without them. Sincerely, a Dutch non-techno non-DJ.
Also it can cause or amplify a lot of stomach issues
Regular use also fucks up your organs. Paracetamol (Tylenol) kills your liver, and ibuprofen kills your kidneys.
What about acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen and paracetamol are the same thing.
Others have answered, but I’ll say it anyway.
The name paracetamol is used in most of the world, and by the WHO. Acetaminophen is the adopted name in the United States, Canada, and Japan. US pharmacies also use APAP. The most common trade names are Tylenol and Panadol. They all refer to the same stuff.
acetaminophen = paracetamol = Tylenol
One compound, different names.
I have never heard of this in the context of ibuprofen. I know it’s bad on the stomach which means you shouldn’t take it for long periods of time (unless prescribed by a doctor). However, when the source of the pain disappears it’s pretty easy to kick the habit. Very different from opioids that are addictive beyond their painkilling ability.
Also between European countries the price of otc painkillers differs tremendously, and my impression is that European pharmacies generally only sell small packages in an effort to maximise profits.
that very much depends on your country. here in the Netherlands every supermarket/pharmacy sells them, and they usually have them at school/office administration desks for free.
in France however, paracetamol isn’t even otc 😭😭
The size has more to do with limiting use.
How exactly do small packages limit use? There is no limit to the amount of packages you can buy. However, those small packages are severely overpriced. I think it’s safe to say that profit considerations played a role in their design.
Nobody buys 3 packages at once. If someone does that it raises some alarms. And they come in blisters, not as candy, so your first way of taking them is one by one.
You can’t become dependent on ibuprofen, it’s not addictive. You shouldn’t be popping it like candy, but taking it when you are in pain is perfectly fine.
You can reduce their effectiveness though.
Do you have a source for that?
Still, the vast majority of people taking NSAIDs in the recommended doses who have appropriate monitoring (such as the occasional blood test) have no major problems with them.
I don’t think that actually happens.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medication_overuse_headache?wprov=sfla1
You can absolutely become addicted to all kinds of painkillers. Thats part of the reason why i write down every dose of painkillers i take. Not just the triptanes for my migraine.
Also often the pain is telling you that something is wrong - you wouldn’t treat a broken ankle with strong painkillers and continue walking as if nothing was wrong just because it doesn’t hurt anymore - would you?
Painkillers should make the pain bearable so you can still listen to your body and not take away the pain completely
yes, but if i know i broke my finger, and it has a cast around it, why should it keep hurting???
back in the ooga booga days there weren’t any casts, so it’s pretty logical that it shouldn’t keep hurting, but if I already know i broke my finger and can’t move it, I think it’s okay to use pain killers to stop the pain.
Depends, how much is getting it seen going to cost me? And can I do my job with crutches I bought at the pharmacy? Cause if I miss a day I’ll get fired and the hospital will put me in jail if I don’t pay my bills.
America is a shit hole country.
you wouldn’t treat a broken ankle with strong painkillers and continue walking as if nothing was wrong just because it doesn’t hurt anymore - would you?
Of course not! We limp around trying to keep it from hurting, praying to any deity that will listen and some that won’t that it heals before you have to pay for a visit to urgent care.
The pills are just to help us go to work while we mentally figure out how many meals we will be skipping to pay for it.
Now ask me if I’m joking.
Yeah, in the UK they reduced the amount you can buy at once too, so drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen only come in 16 tablet packs and you can only buy 2 packs at a shop., It’s helped lower suicides quite well.
People here have a real aversion to taking tablets a lot of the time. I have to convince people to take regular paracetamol (which is non addictive and doesn’t have side effects so long as you don’t take more than the recommended amount) after they have had surgery semi-regularly.
That’s… Ugh. That’s the worst way to go. You have an entire week of pain to regret your decision while doctors can do nothing to help you.
Suicide by by paracetamol is such a fucking horrible way to go, mostly since it doesn’t kill you, it just completely destroys your liver.
Just enough time to regret it, before you die slowly and in great pain
I had a tooth surgically removed a few years back, took 90 min, and I got strong paracetamol and even a small pack of morphine.
I never used the morphine, I keep it sealed at home if I need it.
It’s probably expired.
Oh absolutely, that doesn’t mean it won’t work though, probably less effective though…
We kept my wife’s after she had our baby until one of my cousins casually asked if we still had it. We tossed it so quick and got worried someone might be addicted and would find it in our bathroom mirror thing.
The smart thing might have been to stash it somewhere else to have it in case we end up in an natural disaster or something you always see the people in the movies going through houses finding useful meds. But we just got worried
With a reaction like that I suspect there was some other indicators as well.
I know I have a bit of an addictive personality, I actively refuse gambling since I know I can get caught up in it.
I did open the package up, I wanted to see the mythical pills, but I felt uncomfortable with the package being unsealed and wanted a bigger barrier to have to pass through if I wanted the pills. So I resealed the pack with tape and have had no issues since.
As for right now, they are only for when I am in so much pain that I can’t do anything useful.
None in my family has ever asked about it other than to check up on me when I first got it, I live alone so it is a valid concern.
I got it back in 2020/2021 and it remains resealed and unused.
Europeans be like: “I’m just gonna take a half tablet, don’t want to get dependent on this stuff”
Meanwhile, Americans:
Ngl I ibuprofen does kinda taste good
I dunno. When i take the pill ibruprofen its the most sour thing ever. You can literally see the face muscles of someone taking it contracting.
Y’all are letting the pills dissolve in your mouth before swelling it???
You can taste the after taste of the split second it spent in your mouth before you could swallow it. Its EXTREMELY sour
Yea I’ve made the mistake of bitting one when I was younger.
You sure you aren’t swallowing compacted toothpaste?
I hope not lol
Tastes like old rubber band to me
I wonder if this is also one of those genetic things like cilantro, because ibuprofen tastes nasty as fuck to me. Like “bitter and my tongue wants to cut itself off to stop the taste even after a drink” nasty.
Just depends on the manufacturer. Unless you’re comparing with different people from the same bottle.
The coating on advil is sweetened. The actual medicine tastes horrible.
Don’t be fooled, they put a sugar coating around the OTC stuff. Instant release Adderall on the other hand… that shit tastes pretty good
“Lol Americans are so funny, they can’t go to a doctor without going homeless, look at these coping mechanisms they use, hilarious”
Yeah, it’s pretty funny considering how absurd it is.
Calm down liberals its something called “dork humor” 😎
Still better off than the people in the countries you coup to install dictators.
It is funny since they keep voting in ways that make their healthcare worse instead of better so why should we feel pity?
It’s not all of us ☹️
I’ve consistently voted towards better healthcare options, for all the good it’s ever done (read: not even a little bit.)
There are dozens of us, dozens!
