Persistent headache, painful sprain, or a difficult hangover? Here's when to turn to which medication.

We all tend to be either Team Advil or Team Tylenol, but, it turns out, one really is best—it just depends on what the problem is.

Here's when to use which ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

What is the difference between ibuprofen and acetaminophen?

Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are pain relievers and antipyretics (drugs that fight fever). So, what's the main difference? "Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, while acetaminophen is not," explains pharmacist Marie-Michèle Ghazal.

"Both can be used to control pain and fever. However, if we want to control inflammation, acetaminophen cannot fulfill this role, while ibuprofen can," she says.

Does that mean that ibuprofen is better?

"It is more 'complete,' but that doesn't mean it is the best or first choice of treatment," insists Ghazal. Acetaminophen is generally considered safer and is often better tolerated by the body. When there is no inflammation, it's better to start by taking acetaminophen, she explains.

"If we see that the pain or fever is not well controlled with acetaminophen, that's when we will supplement or replace it with ibuprofen, depending on the case.

Can you mix advil and tylenol?

Yes, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be combined because they have different mechanisms of action. But be careful: do not exceed the maximum recommended dosage of each medication. 

"When you combine the two, it can be confusing to remember when you last took the last dose of each," says Ghazal. To avoid mistakes, she suggests writing down the time each dose was taken.  

Are there any risks to taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen on a regular basis?

It is not recommended to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for more than a few consecutive days without first talking to your pharmacist or healthcare professional. 

Should you take advil or tylenol when you're hungover?

"Experts generally recommend avoiding acetaminophen, even though the evidence remains very weak that a single dose the day after would be harmful to the liver," Ghazal points out. You'd have to consume alcohol in large quantities—and often—for the risk to be significant, she says. 

Ibuprofen can be, "irritating to the stomach, which is already weakened by alcohol. There isn't one that's better than the other, you just have to use it in reasonable quantities and for a short period of time," she says.

Is ibuprofen good for period cramps?

If you suffer from dysmenorrhea (period pain), Ghazal says it's best to opt for ibuprofen to relieve symptoms.

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