What is better Ibuprofen and Nurofen | What is the difference

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Remedies for pain, fever and inflammation can rightly be called one of the most popular. Tablets, capsules, suppositories and ointments – they effectively relieve the symptoms of many diseases and are actively used in medical practice. By statistics, these are the most prescribed drugs in the world – every day more than 30 million people take any remedy from this group.

Our focus today is on two drugs for pain and inflammation – Nurofen and Ibuprofen. They contain the same active ingredient, but differ in price. Imported Nurofen will cost 150 rubles, while Russian Ibuprofen costs ten times cheaper. Why such a difference and whether it is worth overpaying, we will tell in the article.

Original or generic? Which drug is more effective

The active ingredient in both drugs is ibuprofen. included WHO on the list of essential medicines. This list includes only drugs that have proven efficacy and safety, confirmed by clinical trials and many years of experience of doctors around the world. It is worth noting that among all drugs from the NSAID group, only three were awarded this honor. In addition to ibuprofen, the list includes paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid.

When we compare drugs with the same active ingredient, we first of all try to find out which of them is the original and which is the analogue (generic). The original product is undergoing clinical trials, and the manufacturer receives a patent for the manufacture of this drug. But the patent does not apply to the entire product, but only to its main part – the molecule of the active substance. The patent does not apply to auxiliary components – and analogues of the drug appear on the pharmaceutical market.

Generics – these are products similar in composition to the original drug. They appear when the patent of the original expires. The active substance of the original product and the generic will be the same, but the technology for preparing the drug and the composition of the auxiliary components will differ. You need to know this, because often it is the production features that make the drug not only effective, but also safe.

For example, in practice it happens like this. The original drug in the form of a tablet was made by successively applying layers on top of each other, and in the generic one, all the components were simply mixed. In the first case, the active substance of the tablet will slowly enter the bloodstream, and the drug will act for a long time. In the second, the effect will be quick, but short-lived.

It happens otherwise – when low-quality cheap components are added to a generic. They can cause an allergic reaction and cause side effects. Or, for example, the original product is coated with an acid-resistant shell, and the generic is ordinary. Therefore, the original passes through the stomach without any problems and enters the bloodstream through the intestines, while the generic simply dissolves in gastric juice and does not give a therapeutic effect.

It is believed that the original remedy will always be more effective and safer than the generic. However, the original is more expensive – and sometimes the difference with the copy is significant. Usually the doctor offers drugs to choose from, and which one to buy is up to the patient.

In our example, we are dealing with two generics. The original drug was produced in 1962 by a British company and registered under the trade name Brufen. For a long time it was sold exclusively by prescription and was not available to many people, until the situation changed radically – and Nurofen entered the market in 1983. According to the archives, the drug has received incredible popularity. British Nurofen today is one of the leaders in sales in pharmacies.

Ibuprofen, similar in name to the name of the active substance, is produced in Russia. There are about ten companies that produce this drug – which largely determines its low cost. The problem is that there have been no clinical studies comparing the British Nurofen and at least one of the Russian Ibuprofens. We do not know if there is a difference between them and we cannot unequivocally say which remedy is better.

The only thing that can be said with certainty is that the original ibuprofen has proven its effectiveness in clinical trials:

1. In Cochrane review It has been shown that ibuprofen is better than paracetamol in coping with inflammatory processes.

2. Effective at tension headache и migraine in adults.

3. Successfully applies for the relief of almost any pain that is not associated with the oncological process.

4. Takes off muscle and joint pain in various diseases.

5. Well recommended itself as an antipyretic for acute respiratory infections.

It is important to remember that all studies refer to the original UK-made ibuprofen, but they cannot fully reflect the effectiveness and safety of generics.

How NSAIDs work

Ibuprofen, like all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, works through the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). It blocks COX-2, inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins and has a triple effect:

1. relieves inflammation;

2. reduces pain;

3. reduces high body temperature.

Ibuprofen, unlike many other NSAIDs, effectively affects all three links. This compares favorably with paracetamol, which lowers the temperature well, but does not cope well with pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen also wins in comparison with new NSAIDs, which effectively suppress the cascade of inflammatory reactions, but are not so good (and most importantly, safe) for fever.

Ibuprofen, like all old NSAIDs, has one significant drawback – it affects not only inflammatory COX-2, but also normal COX-1, which is synthesized in healthy people and is necessary for the full functioning of internal organs. This explains the high incidence of adverse reactions and a large number of contraindications.

Показания

British Nurofen and Russian Ibuprofen have the same indications for use:

1. headache, including migraine;

2. toothache;

3. joint and muscle pain;

4. neuralgia;

5. algomenorrhea – painful menstruation;

6. fever with influenza and SARS.

Ibuprofen-based products are used where it is necessary to reduce high body temperature, relieve pain and eliminate inflammation.

Important! Ibuprofen does not affect the causes and mechanisms of the disease. It relieves the symptoms but does not cure the disease.

Application Scheme

Preparations based on ibuprofen in the form of tablets and capsules are best taken without regard to food intake – so the active substance will act faster (after 30-40 minutes). But this tactic is not suitable for people with diseases of the stomach and duodenum, as the drug can lead to an exacerbation. In this situation, you need to drink tablets after meals. Ibuprofen will act more slowly (after 1,5-2 hours), but it will not harm your health.

The dosage of the drug is determined by the doctor, taking into account the age of the patient and the severity of his condition. But keep in mind that the maximum daily dose for adults is 1200 mg. The indicated dosage must not be exceeded.

The duration of therapy will depend on the specific clinical symptoms. Ibuprofen is usually given as a short course of 3-7 days. If there is no improvement, you need to consult a doctor and change the tactics of treatment.

Adverse Reactions

Against the background of taking Nurofen and Ibuprofen, the following undesirable symptoms most often occur:

1. Blood: disorders of hematopoiesis, leading to a decrease in the level of leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes. This leads to the development of anemia, increases the risk of bleeding and infectious diseases.

2. Immune system: allergic reactions, including from the skin and bronchi (rashes, itching, bronchospasm).

3. Digestive tract: abdominal pain, stool disorders, heartburn and flatulence. Perhaps the appearance of stomach ulcers and disruption of the liver with long-term therapy.

4. Nervous system: headache.

The incidence of adverse reactions is dose-dependent. The risk of their occurrence can be reduced by taking the drug in a short course and not exceeding the recommended dosage. Therapy should be started with the lowest possible dose. If it stops pain and inflammation, lowers body temperature, there is no need to increase it.

Противопоказания

Nurofen and Ibuprofen are not used if the following conditions are identified:

1. bronchial asthma in combination with intolerance to any NSAIDs;

2. pathology of the digestive tract, especially erosive and ulcerative lesions;

3. gastrointestinal ulcers provoked by taking NSAIDs;

4. severe pathology of the liver, kidneys, heart;

5. any bleeding;

6. hemophilia;

7. III trimester of pregnancy.

8. In the I and II trimesters of pregnancy, ibuprofen is prescribed with caution.

Ibuprofen is not recommended during lactation, as it can pass into breast milk.

Conclusions

To sum up:

1. Ibuprofen and Nurofen belong to the group of NSAIDs and contain the same active ingredient. They act symptomatically – relieve pain, fever and inflammation, but do not cure the disease.

2. Russian Ibuprofen and British Nurofen are generics (analogues) of the original drug Brufen.

3. In clinical trials, the original ibuprofen proved to be effective, but there were no large-scale studies regarding generics.

Comparison of Russian and British analogues of ibuprofen has not been conducted. There is no data on which drug is more effective and safer.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.