So let talk about the two biggest elephants in the room, Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Ibeprofen (Advil, Motrin). So whats the difference? It boils down to one simplified thing, how the pain is blocked. Tylenol blocks pain signals in the brain while Ibeprofen blocks enzymes that cause pain, fever, and inflammation. The majority of your decision is going to be based on a few diagnosing questions that you have to ask yourself. Is there inflammation? Am I running a fever? While Tylenol (Acetaminophen) doesn’t reduce inflammation, it is widely considered better for treating headaches, fever, minor aches, and cold symptoms. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) on the other hand not only works for inflammation but also muscle strains, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and swelling.