• gerryflap@feddit.nl
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    1 month ago

    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

    • ccunning@lemmy.world
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      1 month 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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        1 month 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
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        1 month 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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        1 month 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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        1 month 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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          1 month 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

    • PeriodicallyPedantic@lemmy.ca
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      1 month ago

      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 exceeding their recommended usage

      • gerryflap@feddit.nl
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        1 month ago

        Not sure. I’ve never used it but it always seems to be used as such, so I just assumed that was the case

        • PeriodicallyPedantic@lemmy.ca
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          1 month ago

          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.