difference between Motrin and Tylenol?

I've got both Tylenol and Motrin but I was wondering - since your babies aren't going to say that one makes them feel better over the other, what is the diffrence? When should you give one over the other or does it matter?

Which is better for teething?


ETA - I know the active ingredient is different

 

Ibuprofen, which is in Motrin, is an anti-inflammatory and acetaminophen, which is in Tylenol, is just a pain reliever. So, I would say Motrin would probably be better for teething since there is inflammation involved rather than just pain. Ibuprofen is better for muscle aches, soreness, etc. but will also bring down a fever quickly. Overall, I find it to be a better product for the kids, although I can't take it myself because I'm allergic to it.

 

QUOTE(tinalb @ Jul 17 2008, 03:47 PM) [snapback]882050[/snapback]
Ibuprofen, which is in Motrin, is an anti-inflammatory and acetaminophen, which is in Tylenol, is just a pain reliever. So, I would say Motrin would probably be better for teething since there is inflammation involved rather than just pain. Ibuprofen is better for muscle aches, soreness, etc. but will also bring down a fever quickly. Overall, I find it to be a better product for the kids, although I can't take it myself because I'm allergic to it.


Exactly what she said.

 

thanks! I don't know why but I always automatically go for the tylenol...I guess b/c it's what I took when I was pregnant so it seems "safer" to me for some reason.

 

The active ingredients work a little differently. For us, we had better and longer pain relief with Motrin, after they were 6 months old. It also lasts longer, so you don't have to give them as much. One is an NSAID and one is an analgesic.

Wiki for them both:

Ibu-p

Acetaminophen

 

We took C&C to the hospital last year and were told to give both Tylonal and Motrin at the same time. When we told them we only gave them tylonal, the ER proceeded to give them motrin.


I was a little wary about giving both, but I checked with our family Dr and she too said you can give both since they work in differant ways. Let me tell you - it brings down a fever really fast!

Double check with your own family Dr's !

 

QUOTE(ButterflyKisses @ Jul 17 2008, 02:01 PM) [snapback]882080[/snapback]
We took C&C to the hospital last year and were told to give both Tylonal and Motrin at the same time. When we told them we only gave them tylonal, the ER proceeded to give them motrin.
I was a little wary about giving both, but I checked with our family Dr and she too said you can give both since they work in differant ways. Let me tell you - it brings down a fever really fast!

Double check with your own family Dr's !


Yep, you can give them at the same time & most peds recommend doing that for stubborn fevers.

 

I've found the best thing for teething is to switch them off....Tylenol then the next does motrin then tylenol, etc.

 

Tylenol has less side effects associated with it, so in that sense it is safer. But for teething and a baby over 6 months I perfer ibuprofen, it works longer and has anti-inflammatory effects which are beneficial then. For a plain old fever I stick with tylenol.

 

Besides the ingredient differences, I pretty much use both for a fever or teething. If its a fever I look at the clock and determine how many hours I have until bedtime because I like to give Motrin before bed since it lasts the longest. So I usually alternate throughout the day.

 

The only problem with ibuprofen is it will eat away at your stomach, always make sure there is food in the belly when taking it.

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Jul 18 2008, 12:10 AM) [snapback]882301[/snapback]
Besides the ingredient differences, I pretty much use both for a fever or teething. If its a fever I look at the clock and determine how many hours I have until bedtime because I like to give Motrin before bed since it lasts the longest. So I usually alternate throughout the day.


Me too..sometimes I feel like Tylenol is worthless for our teething though. I think the anti-inflammatory is the key for the teeth. I do exactly the same thing. I try not to keep them on a full rotation of meds for more than a day or two, just doesn't seem right. Maybe I'm crazy!!? I've had the gut feeling that extended use was hard on their tummies and upset them a little so I use sparingly. <_<

 

I tried Motrin when the boys started teething, but it makes them wired! They can't sleep. Now that they are going longer between naps, I should try again, but be warned, it may happen to you too!

 

our ped reccomends we alternate the tylenol and motrin when we feel the need to use them.