Why is it that Paracetamol may work for toothache but not for backache...?

Question

...or the other way round...is it something to do with the level of pain, perhaps?

The fountain of knowledge then Sandi, sorry your not well.

Thats the whole idea "minus".. Glad to be of help.

Answer 1

It probably has something to do with what is causing the pain.
Ibuprophen is good for any pain that has swelling to it, (muscle strains, back ache,) Whereas paracetamol is better for headaches and relief of flu symptoms.
You can always mix the two together when the pain is not going with just one.

Answer 2

Hi,

Drugs like Ibuprofen act to reduce inflammation by blocking an enzyme responsible for producing molecules called Prostaglandins.

Prostaglandins function as messenger molecules in the process of inflammation. These molecules are produced by a set of enzymes called CycloOxygenase (COX). NSAIDS like ibuprofen, celebrex, mobic etc. inhibit this enzyme thus blocking/inhibiting the formation of prostaglandins. There are at least 3 variations of cyclooxygenase (COX-1, COX-2 and COX-3), and Ibuprofen inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2.

COX-1 is responsible for generating the prostaglandins required for protection of the gastrointestinal tract, while COX-2 is responsible for the increased prostaglandin synthesis associated with inflammation, fever, and pain responses. (As of the role of COX-3, it is the subject of considerable interest, but much remains to be learned about it's role. It was discovered only recently)

Anyway, Acetaminophen is often classed with the NSAIDs. Although the structure of acetaminophen is similar to the NSAIDs mentioned above, and it inhibits some prostaglandin-mediated responses, it does not inhibit COX-1 or COX-2, and does not have anti-inflammatory actions, so this is probably why it isn't very effective for backaches.

Hope this helps & sorry for boring you with all the technical details.

AJ

NB: Acetaminophen=Paracetamol (same drug, different name)

Answer 3

Thanks for asking. Now I know a lot more than before.