The short answer
- Panadol = paracetamol: pain and fever relief, very few side effects at normal doses, safe in pregnancy, but harmful to the liver in overdose.
- Nurofen = ibuprofen: pain, fever and inflammation relief; can irritate the stomach and strain the kidneys; avoid in pregnancy and some heart conditions.
- Choose Panadol for headache, fever and general aches; Nurofen for period pain, toothache, sprains and back pain. They can be taken together.
Panadol vs Nurofen side by side
|
Panadol |
Nurofen |
| Active ingredient |
Paracetamol (acetaminophen; Tylenol in the US) |
Ibuprofen (also sold as Advil, Brufen, Herron Blue) |
| Drug class |
Simple analgesic |
NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) |
| Pain and fever |
Yes |
Yes |
| Reduces inflammation |
Almost not at all |
Yes |
| Usual adult dose |
500–1,000 mg every 4–6 h |
200–400 mg every 4–6 h, with food |
| Daily maximum (OTC) |
4,000 mg |
1,200 mg |
| Starts working |
30–60 minutes |
20–30 minutes (faster for “Express” forms) |
| Stomach |
Gentle |
Can cause indigestion, ulcers, bleeding |
| Pregnancy |
Usually the preferred painkiller |
Avoid unless a doctor advises |
| Main risk |
Liver damage in overdose or with heavy drinking |
Stomach, kidney, heart and blood pressure effects |
| Children |
From birth (doctor advice under 1 month) |
From 3 months and 5 kg |
How they work
Paracetamol acts mainly in the central nervous system. It reduces the production of prostaglandins in the brain and affects pain pathways in the spinal cord, which lowers fever and dulls pain. Because it does little to prostaglandins in the rest of the body, it neither reduces swelling nor irritates the stomach.
Ibuprofen blocks the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes throughout the body. Less prostaglandin at the site of an injury means less pain, swelling and heat. The same prostaglandins protect the stomach lining and keep blood flowing to the kidneys, which explains ibuprofen’s side effects.
Which is better for what?
| Problem |
Better choice |
| Headache, tension headache |
Either; Panadol first if you have stomach or kidney concerns |
| Fever with a cold or flu |
Panadol (ibuprofen also works) |
| Period pain |
Nurofen (or naproxen), started at the first sign of pain |
| Toothache, after dental work |
Nurofen, or both together |
| Sprains, muscle and back pain |
Nurofen (tablets or gel) |
| Arthritis in older adults |
Panadol, or an anti-inflammatory gel |
| Gastro with fever |
Panadol: ibuprofen plus dehydration can harm the kidneys |
| Pregnancy |
Panadol |
| Asthma that reacts to aspirin |
Panadol |
Head-to-head studies show similar results for most headaches and fevers. Ibuprofen tends to come out ahead where inflammation is part of the problem. For many types of pain, taking both together beats either alone; see can I take Nurofen and Panadol together.
Safety differences that matter
Paracetamol is very safe at the right dose, but the margin between the maximum dose and a harmful one is smaller than many people think, and hidden paracetamol in cold and flu products is the commonest cause of accidental overdose. Liver damage may not cause symptoms for a day or more, so any suspected overdose needs medical advice straight away.
Ibuprofen’s risks rise with dose, duration and age. Short courses at label doses are fine for most healthy adults. It should be avoided, or used only on medical advice, by people with ulcers, kidney disease, heart failure or uncontrolled blood pressure, those on blood thinners or several blood pressure medicines, and in pregnancy. See which ibuprofen is easiest on the stomach and the pain relief guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nurofen contain paracetamol?
No. Nurofen tablets and capsules contain ibuprofen only. Combination products such as Nuromol or Maxigesic contain both, and Nurofen Plus contains ibuprofen with codeine.
Does Nurofen contain aspirin?
No. Ibuprofen and aspirin are different medicines from the same NSAID family. If you are allergic to aspirin, you may also react to ibuprofen, so ask a pharmacist before taking it.
What is Nurofen made of?
The active ingredient is ibuprofen; the rest are inactive ingredients such as starch, coatings and colourings, which vary by product. Liquid capsules contain ibuprofen dissolved in a gel. The full list is in the leaflet.
What is the difference between Panadol, ibuprofen and Nurofen?
Panadol is paracetamol. Ibuprofen is the medicine in Nurofen; generic ibuprofen tablets work the same way as Nurofen at the same dose and usually cost less.
Is Nurofen stronger than Panadol?
Not in general. A standard dose of each gives similar relief for many types of pain. Nurofen is more effective for inflammatory pain; Panadol is safer for more people.
Sources and further reading
CanforaMedicine Guide
