A patient who has been taking ibuprofen experiences stomach upset. Which medication could be considered as an alternative?

A patient who has been taking ibuprofen experiences stomach upset. Which medication could be considered as an alternative?

• A. Naproxen (Aleve)
• B. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• C. Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• D. Acetylsalicylic Acid (Aspirin)

Answer: (B)

When choosing an alternative for someone who has stomach upset from ibuprofen, look for a medication with analgesic effects but minimal gastric irritation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) fits this best because it treats pain and fever without the prostaglandin-related stomach lining irritation that NSAIDs cause. This makes it gentler on the stomach, which is the main issue here. Keep in mind that acetaminophen has no significant anti-inflammatory action, so it may be less helpful if inflammation is a primary cause of the pain. It’s important to use it safely: don’t exceed the recommended daily dose (usually up to 4,000 mg for most adults, but lower if liver disease or regular alcohol use is a factor) and avoid combining multiple products that also contain acetaminophen to prevent overdose. The other options are NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors, which can still irritate the stomach or carry other risks, so they’re not as suitable when the goal is to avoid GI upset.

When choosing an alternative for someone who has stomach upset from ibuprofen, look for a medication with analgesic effects but minimal gastric irritation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) fits this best because it treats pain and fever without the prostaglandin-related stomach lining irritation that NSAIDs cause. This makes it gentler on the stomach, which is the main issue here.

Keep in mind that acetaminophen has no significant anti-inflammatory action, so it may be less helpful if inflammation is a primary cause of the pain. It’s important to use it safely: don’t exceed the recommended daily dose (usually up to 4,000 mg for most adults, but lower if liver disease or regular alcohol use is a factor) and avoid combining multiple products that also contain acetaminophen to prevent overdose.

The other options are NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors, which can still irritate the stomach or carry other risks, so they’re not as suitable when the goal is to avoid GI upset.