Compare only: no verdictIbuprofen: Schedule H
Ibuprofen vs paracetamol
Ibuprofen is an NSAID and paracetamol is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic. Their labels carry different warnings: heart, stomach and kidney cautions for ibuprofen, and liver injury from excess dose for paracetamol. Ibuprofen is Schedule H in India. This page compares facts only; a doctor or pharmacist decides which suits you.
- Ibuprofen is
- An NSAID
- Paracetamol is
- A non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic
- Ibuprofen in India
- Schedule H (prescription-only)
- Paracetamol in India
- Not found in the Schedule H lists we checked
- NLEM 2022
- Both listed
- Jan Aushadhi
- Both listed
Compiled from official drug labels and Indian government sources. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
Ibuprofen and Paracetamol side by side
This table sets out what the labels and Indian regulatory lists say about each medicine. It does not rank them. Your prescriber decides what suits you.
| Point | Ibuprofen | Paracetamol |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class (as the label states) | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). | Non-salicylate antipyretic and non-opioid analgesic. |
| Main labelled uses | The US label in our packet is for the intravenous product: mild to moderate pain, moderate to severe pain with opioids, and fever reduction. | Indian Crocin leaflets: fever and mild to moderate pain such as headache, muscle pain and toothache. The US intravenous label lists pain and fever. |
| Labelled adult dosing summary (label-level only; Indian pack labels may differ and your prescriber's instruction applies) | The US intravenous label gives 400 to 800 mg every 6 hours for pain, and a total daily limit of 3,200 mg in adults. Oral tablet doses are on the pack and prescription. | The Crocin 650 leaflet says one 650 mg tablet every 4 to 6 hours, with no more than 6 tablets in 24 hours. It advises asking a doctor if use goes beyond 3 days. |
| Common side effects (label) | Nausea, flatulence, vomiting, headache, bleeding and dizziness. | Nausea, vomiting, headache and insomnia in adults (US label). Serious allergic and skin reactions are rare. |
| Serious warnings (label) | Heart attack and stroke risk, stomach and gut bleeding or ulcers, liver and kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart failure, serious skin and allergic reactions. | Liver injury, including liver failure, from doses above the recommended limit, counted across all paracetamol-containing products. Rare serious skin reactions and allergy. |
| Key interactions (label) | Blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, lithium, methotrexate and diuretics. | Warfarin (regular high use can raise INR) and alcohol, which affects liver risk. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding (label) | NSAIDs can harm the unborn baby from about 20 weeks, and the label says to avoid use at about 30 weeks or later. On nursing, the label says a decision is needed about stopping the drug or nursing. | The US label says published studies did not report a clear link with birth defects or miscarriage. The Crocin leaflet says to seek medical advice in pregnancy, and does not rule out breastfeeding. |
| Prescription status in India (Schedules list) | Listed in Schedule H (serial 244): prescription-only. | Not found in the Schedule H/H1/X lists we checked. |
| On NLEM 2022 | Yes: tablets 200 and 400 mg, oral liquid 100 mg/5 mL. | Yes: tablets 500 and 650 mg, oral liquids, injection and suppositories. |
| NPPA price ceiling | Yes: tablet 400 mg Rs 0.69 and tablet 200 mg Rs 0.39 per tablet (as on 30.09.2020). | Yes: tablet 500 mg Rs 0.91 and tablet 650 mg Rs 1.83 per tablet (as on 30.09.2020). |
| Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) rows | Ibuprofen tablets IP 200 mg (10's) and 400 mg (15's), suspension 100 mg/5 mL. | Paracetamol tablets IP 500 mg (10's) and 650 mg (15's), suspensions and drops. |
A fact-by-fact table. It does not say which is better.
Key factual differences
These are two different active ingredients with different warnings. The facts below come from labels and Indian lists.
- Ibuprofen is an NSAID and its label carries heart, stomach and kidney warnings. Paracetamol is not an NSAID and its main labelled warning is liver injury from excess dose.
- Ibuprofen is in Schedule H in India. We did not find paracetamol in the Schedule H lists we checked.
- The paracetamol leaflet and label count total paracetamol across all products. The ibuprofen label stresses the lowest effective dose for the shortest time.
- In pregnancy, the ibuprofen label gives week-based cautions from about 20 weeks. The paracetamol labels ask for medical advice.
- Ibuprofen interaction warnings include aspirin, lithium, methotrexate and diuretics; paracetamol warnings centre on warfarin and alcohol.
- Both appear on the NLEM 2022, with NPPA ceilings and Jan Aushadhi rows.
These are differences in labelling and listing, not a verdict.
About the dosing information
The US ibuprofen and paracetamol labels in our packet describe intravenous products used in hospitals. They are not tablet instructions. We therefore quote the Indian Crocin leaflet for oral paracetamol and use the ibuprofen label only to show how labels are written.
Do not add up doses from several products yourself. Many cold and pain products contain paracetamol or an NSAID. Ask your pharmacist.
Intravenous label doses are not tablet doses; follow the pack and your prescriber.
Who decides, and what to discuss
A doctor or pharmacist decides between them, or whether either is suitable. The choice depends on your health conditions, other medicines and the symptom. This page does not recommend one.
- Tell them about stomach ulcers, kidney or heart disease, asthma triggered by aspirin or NSAIDs, or high blood pressure.
- Tell them about liver disease or regular alcohol use.
- Mention blood thinners, other pain medicines, and cold or flu products that may also contain paracetamol.
- Tell them if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Ask about the maximum total per day for the exact pack you hold.
Your doctor or pharmacist chooses based on your health and other medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Is ibuprofen the same as paracetamol?
Can ibuprofen and paracetamol be taken together?
Which one is prescription-only in India?
In the lists we checked, ibuprofen is in Schedule H, so it is prescription-only. We did not find paracetamol in the Schedule H lists we checked. Pack labels and pharmacists decide how a given pack is sold.
Source11
What is the daily limit for paracetamol?
Sources
- 1U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (1eaa7790-f1a1-4f51-b10a-cbbaf033f684) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 2U.S. FDA-approved label (DailyMed) (464e404a-1957-44a2-a53a-f2a9d3c15bde) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 3Crocin 650 product information leaflet (GSK), dated 17 July 2024 (PI v3) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 4Crocin Advance product information leaflet (GSK), dated 17 July 2024 (PI v4) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 5National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (p61 and p67, tablets 200/400 mg, oral liquid 100 mg/5 mL) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 6National List of Essential Medicines 2022 (p62, tablets 500/650 mg and other forms) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 7NPPA ceiling prices (scheduled formulations) (All scheduled (NLEM 2015) p10, as on 30.09.2020) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 8NPPA ceiling prices (scheduled formulations) (All scheduled (NLEM 2015) p14, as on 30.09.2020) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 9PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) product list (p1:sno14, p1:sno15, p82:sno1780) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 10PMBJP (Jan Aushadhi) product list (p1:sno22 (500 mg), p17:sno397 (650 mg)) Open source · 2026-10-15
- 11Drugs Rules 1945, Schedules (2022 consolidation) (Schedule H, serial 244 (rules 65 and 97)) Open source · 2026-10-15
Compiled by software from the sources above and checked by automated rules. Last checked: 2026-10-15 · How we use sources · Report a correction
This information is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. It does not tell you what dose you personally should take. In an emergency call 112.