1 Oct, 2025

Nurofen (Ibuprofen) vs Common Pain Reliever Alternatives - 2025 Comparison

Pain Reliever Comparison Tool

Pain Type

Duration Needed

Stomach Sensitivity

Age Group

Comparison Overview

Nurofen (Ibuprofen)

Ibuprofen 200mg • 4-6 hrs • Moderate

Best for muscle aches, menstrual cramps

Advil / Motrin

Ibuprofen 200mg • 4-6 hrs • Similar

Fast-acting headache relief

Aleve

Naproxen 220mg • 8-12 hrs • Higher

Back pain, arthritis

Aspirin

Acetylsalicylic acid 325-500mg • 4-6 hrs • High

Tension headaches, cardiovascular protection

Paracetamol / Tylenol

Acetaminophen 500-650mg • 4-6 hrs • Low

Fever, mild to moderate pain without inflammation

Nurofen is one of the most recognizable ibuprofen brands on pharmacy shelves, but is it the best choice for every ache? This guide breaks down how Nurofen stacks up against other over‑the‑counter painkillers, so you can pick the right tablet for your headache, muscle strain, or fever.

Nurofen delivers 200mg of ibuprofen per tablet and works by reducing inflammation.
Advil and Motrin are also ibuprofen brands, offering similar pain relief at comparable doses.
Aleve contains naproxen, which lasts longer but may be harsher on the stomach.
Aspirin and paracetamol (acetaminophen) target pain differently and have distinct safety profiles.
Choosing the right option depends on pain type, duration, age, and health conditions.

What is Nurofen (Ibuprofen)?

When you see the red‑white package of Nurofen is a branded ibuprofen formulation used for mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation, you’re looking at a non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drug (NSAID). Each standard tablet contains 200mg of ibuprofen, a dose that’s been clinically proven to lower prostaglandin production, the chemicals that cause pain and swelling.

Ibuprofen was first marketed in the 1960s and quickly became a staple because it balances effectiveness with a relatively mild gastrointestinal side‑effect profile compared to older NSAIDs like aspirin.

How Ibuprofen Works

Ibuprofen blocks the cyclooxygenase‑1 and cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑1, COX‑2) enzymes. By inhibiting these enzymes, it reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are responsible for sensitising nerve endings and widening blood vessels during inflammation. The result is less pain, lower fever, and reduced swelling.

Because COX‑1 also helps protect the stomach lining, ibuprofen can still irritate the gut, especially at higher doses or with prolonged use. That’s why many guidelines recommend taking it with food and limiting daily intake to 1,200mg for OTC use.

Top Over‑the‑Counter Alternatives

While ibuprofen is versatile, several other OTC analgesics serve similar or complementary purposes. Below are the most common alternatives, each defined once with microdata.

Advil is another ibuprofen brand that offers 200mg tablets and a liquid gel form for faster absorption. Its pain‑relief profile mirrors Nurofen, but the gel capsules are popular for people who dislike swallowing pills.

Motrin is a generic‑priced ibuprofen product often sold in larger blister packs for families. Like Advil, it provides the same 200mg dose per tablet.

Aleve is a naproxen‑based pain reliever that lasts up to 12hours per dose. Naproxen’s longer half‑life means fewer pills throughout the day, but it can be tougher on the stomach.

Aspirin is an older NSAID (acetylsalicylic acid) that works both as a painkiller and a blood‑thinner at low doses. It’s effective for tension headaches but carries a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer that works centrally rather than by reducing inflammation. It’s gentle on the stomach but offers no anti‑inflammatory benefits.

Tylenol is the leading U.S. brand of paracetamol, available in 500mg tablets and extra‑strength 650mg versions. Like generic acetaminophen, it’s safe for most adults when kept under 4,000mg per day.

Naproxen is the generic name for the active ingredient in Aleve, often prescribed for arthritis because of its long‑acting properties. Over‑the‑counter doses are 220mg per tablet.

Quick Comparison Table

Key attributes of Nurofen and common OTC alternatives (2025)
Brand / Generic	Active Ingredient	Typical Dose (OTC)	Duration of Relief	Stomach Impact	Best For
Nurofen	Ibuprofen	200mg tablet	4‑6hours	Moderate (take with food)	Muscle aches, menstrual cramps
Advil / Motrin	Ibuprofen	200mg tablet or 400mg gel cap	4‑6hours	Similar to Nurofen	Fast‑acting headache relief
Aleve	Naproxen	220mg tablet	8‑12hours	Higher (avoid on empty stomach)	Back pain, arthritis
Aspirin	Acetylsalicylic acid	325‑500mg tablet	4‑6hours	High (risk of ulcer)	Cardiovascular protection (low dose) & tension headaches
Paracetamol / Tylenol	Acetaminophen	500‑650mg tablet	4‑6hours	Low (safe on empty stomach)	Fever, mild to moderate pain without inflammation

Choosing the Right Analgesic for Your Situation

Here’s a quick decision flow you can keep on your fridge:

Pain type: If you suspect inflammation (e.g., sprain, arthritis), reach for an NSAID like Nurofen, Advil, or Aleve.
Duration needed: For all‑day coverage, Aleve’s naproxen wins. For short bursts, ibuprofen or paracetamol are fine.
Stomach sensitivity: If you’ve had ulcers or take blood thinners, lean toward paracetamol/Tylenol.
Age considerations: Children under 12 should avoid ibuprofen unless weight‑based dosing is used; acetaminophen is the usual pediatric choice.
Other medications: Ibuprofen can interact with ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and anticoagulants. Aspirin also thins blood, so avoid duplicate dosing.

When in doubt, a brief chat with your pharmacist can confirm the safest choice.

Practical Tips & Common Pitfalls

Always read the label for maximum daily limits-most OTC ibuprofen products cap at 1,200mg per day without a doctor’s order.
Take ibuprofen with food or milk to soothe the gastric lining.
Don’t combine multiple NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen + naproxen) hoping for stronger pain relief; you’ll just raise the risk of bleeding.
Store all pain relievers out of reach of children. Accidental overdose on paracetamol can cause severe liver damage.
If you experience ringing in the ears, persistent stomach pain, or a rash, stop the medication and seek medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take Nurofen and Advil together?

No. Both contain ibuprofen, so stacking them just doubles the dose and heightens stomach‑related risks. Pick one brand and stay within the recommended daily limit.

Is Aleve safer for long‑term use than ibuprofen?

Aleve’s naproxen lasts longer, so you take fewer pills, but its gastrointestinal impact can be stronger. For chronic conditions, a doctor‑prescribed dose of either drug with a protective proton‑pump inhibitor is usually recommended.

Can I use paracetamol if I’m pregnant?

Paracetamol is generally regarded as safe in pregnancy when used at the lowest effective dose. Ibuprofen and aspirin are avoided, especially in the third trimester, due to potential fetal circulation issues.

What’s the fastest‑acting OTC painkiller?

Ibuprofen liquid gels (e.g., Advil Liqui‑Gels) and fast‑dissolve paracetamol tablets can start working within 15‑30 minutes. For truly rapid relief, a topical NSAID like diclofenac gel may also help localized aches.

How many Nurofen tablets can a teen safely take?

For teenagers aged 12‑17, the standard 200mg tablet can be taken every 4‑6hours, not exceeding 1,200mg (six tablets) in a 24‑hour period, unless a doctor advises otherwise.

2 Comments

Anne Snyder
October 1, 2025 AT 15:56

Great overview, and the way you broke down the mechanisms of ibuprofen really hits the mark for anyone trying to understand the pharmacodynamics behind Nurofen. The inclusion of COX‑1 and COX‑2 inhibition jargon adds depth, and the practical tips about food intake are spot‑on. For readers juggling multiple pain scenarios, the decision flow chart is a solid tool. Keep the evidence‑based tone; it makes the guide both reliable and approachable. Looking forward to more comparative analyses like this.
Rebecca M
October 5, 2025 AT 10:36

First, I must commend the author for assembling such a comprehensive comparison, yet there are several points that warrant correction, notably the dosage limits which, according to the FDA, cap OTC ibuprofen at 1,200 mg per day, not 1,200 mg per dose as occasionally implied, and this distinction is crucial for patient safety, especially among individuals with renal concerns, which the article glosses over, albeit briefly, when it mentions “moderate stomach impact”; furthermore, the statement that naproxen “lasts longer” should be qualified with pharmacokinetic data indicating a half‑life of approximately 12‑14 hours versus ibuprofen’s 2‑4 hours, thereby reinforcing why Aleve is preferred for chronic conditions, yet the text fails to address the increased gastrointestinal risk associated with that extended exposure, which could be mitigated by concurrent proton‑pump inhibitor therapy, a strategy not mentioned; additionally, the claim that “paracetamol is gentle on the stomach” neglects to highlight its hepatotoxic potential at doses exceeding 4 g per day, a fact that, while well‑known among clinicians, is essential for lay readers to understand, and the omission could lead to inadvertent overdose; the comparison table, while aesthetically pleasing, omits a column for contraindications, such as the interaction between ibuprofen and antihypertensive agents, which may blunt the efficacy of the latter, an interaction supported by multiple clinical trials; moreover, the recommendation that teenagers can safely take up to six tablets per day disregards body‑weight‑based dosing recommendations, which suggest a maximum of 10 mg/kg per dose; finally, the article would benefit from a clearer delineation between analgesic and anti‑inflammatory effects, as not all OTC agents provide both, a nuance that could guide users toward the most appropriate product for their specific symptomatology, and overall, while the guide is user‑friendly, integrating these pharmacological subtleties would elevate its clinical accuracy substantially.