• ccunning@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Is acetaminophen really considered to be less strong than ibuprofen? I’d always considered them to be equal with ibuprofen being safer.

    • SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      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)

    • Tar_Alcaran@sh.itjust.works
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      3 days ago

      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

    • Aganim@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      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.

    • gerryflap@feddit.nl
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      3 days ago

      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.

      • tigeruppercut@lemmy.zip
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        2 days ago

        Ibuprofen is also anti-inflammatory while paracetamol isn’t, so it can be used to reduce swelling (eg) rather than just for pain reduction