Paracetamol (more commonly known as acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are both pain relievers, but there are a few differences between them. The primary difference is that ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meaning that it treats inflammation. Paracetamol does not. For example, paracetamol can be taken to treat the pain of arthritis, but it does not treat the inflammation of the joint that causes the pain. Another difference between the two is that compared to ibuprofen, paracetamol might cause less stomach discomfort. Also, the two pain relievers have different drug interactions.
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