Acetaminophen vs Ibuprofen: Which is Better for Pain and Fever?

4. Treatment for Other Conditions

For conditions like osteoarthritis, pain stems from two sources: an inflammatory process and bones rubbing together due to lack of cartilage and fluid in the joint. People with arthritis sometimes find it helpful to alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Research suggests post-operative pain responds well to a mix of both medications, as well, as pain is often severe and comes from different mechanisms. Ibuprofen works best for dental pain; however, if a patient has a history of bleeding, the dentist will often recommend acetaminophen instead.