Researchers from Saudi Arabia, whose work was published in the journal Scientific Reports, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data collected from 14 clinical trials involving more than six and a half thousand people. Participants in these trials periodically experienced tension headaches and took ibuprofen, paracetamol, or a placebo.
Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They usually occur as a result of stress, nervous, or mental strain.
Ibuprofen or Paracetamol — Which is More Effective for Headaches?
As a result of the study, the authors concluded that although there are some differences in the action of these medications, no statistically significant differences in their effectiveness or the severity of side effects were observed — both ibuprofen and paracetamol are equally effective in relieving tension headaches, causing stomach discomfort or dizziness only in rare cases.
For example, it was found that paracetamol starts to work somewhat faster than ibuprofen: the peak analgesic effect of paracetamol is reached within an hour after intake, while for ibuprofen it is after two hours. Additionally, for individuals at increased risk of kidney failure or gastrointestinal bleeding, paracetamol is a safer option than ibuprofen.
