Two medicines, side by side
Acetaminophen vs ibuprofen
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are both labeled for pain, cough and cold and fever. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acetaminophen since 1968 and of ibuprofen since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) and $0.0573 per ibuprofen 800 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the acetaminophen FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2024); the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026).
Highlights of the acetaminophen record
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) · label of November 13, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstemporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: minor pain of arthritis muscular aches backache premenstrual and menstrual cramps the common cold headache toothache temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 7, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 89 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0339 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 19
Highlights of the ibuprofen record
Ibuprofen (Advil) · label of January 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications■ temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: ■ headache ■ muscular aches ■ minor pain of arthritis ■ toothache ■ backache ■ the common cold ■ menstrual cramps ■ temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 19, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 245 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0573 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 40
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acetaminophen label of November 13, 2024, Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acetaminophen and ibuprofen differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: acetaminophen since 1986; ibuprofen since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acetaminophen | Ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Cough and cold, Pain | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 7, 1968 | September 19, 1974 |
| First generic approved | December 1, 1986 | February 8, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 89 labelers | 245 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0339 per unit (Acetaminophen 500 mg caplet) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +5% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 19 | 40 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 445,075 | 270,516 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Ibuprofen label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of ibuprofen and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential for increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to acetaminophen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions