"Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen"
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are oral analgesics that work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis and centrally respectively. They act to relieve pain that can be experienced after a sunburn. Ibuprofen is the preferred medication over acetaminophen due to its additional anti-inflammatory effects.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both very safe analgesics. Caution should be exercised in patients on warfarin therapy for increased risk of bleeding, and ibuprofen is contraindicated in women in their third trimester.
Ibuprofen should be considered first line for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and when contraindication, acetaminophen should be administered to relieve pain in sunburn patients.
References:
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are oral analgesics that work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis and centrally respectively. They act to relieve pain that can be experienced after a sunburn. Ibuprofen is the preferred medication over acetaminophen due to its additional anti-inflammatory effects.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both very safe analgesics. Caution should be exercised in patients on warfarin therapy for increased risk of bleeding, and ibuprofen is contraindicated in women in their third trimester.
Ibuprofen should be considered first line for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and when contraindication, acetaminophen should be administered to relieve pain in sunburn patients.
References:
- Stern RS, Dodson TB. Ibuprofen in the treatment of UV-B-induced inflammation. Arch Dermatol. 1985;121(4):508-512.
- Ortner CM, Steiner I, Margeta K et al. Dose response of tramadol and its combination with parcetamol in UVB induced hyperalgesia. Eur J Pain. 2012;16(4):562-573.
- Han A, Maibach HI. Management of acute sunburn. Am I Clin Dermatol. 2004;39-47.
- Young AR, Tewari A. Sunburn. UpToDate. May 1, 2013.