Is it safe to take advil and tylenol together

Any time you take a medication, it’s important to be aware of any potential interactions with other drugs. Drug interactions can change how your medications work and can increase the risk of side effects.

For example, acetaminophen is in over 600 medications. Taking a second medication that contains the ingredient could produce harmful effects. Ibuprofen can interact with drugs like Cymbalta, Naproxen, and Lexapro.

Tylenol and Ibuprofen are two over-the-counter pain relievers that people ask about taking together. Most doctors agree that it is generally safe to take Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) with Tylenol (acetaminophen) at the same time.

In fact, research shows that taking both medications at the same time often works to relieve pain better than taking them separately. In addition, research shows that combining these medications for acute pain can provide more relief than some opioid medications. This fact alone can help reduce the number of narcotics that are prescribed. In addition, over-the-counter pain medications are less likely to cause severe side effects than opioids.

Why It’s Safe to Take Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen

Here’s why most physicians agree that it is generally safe to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together.

While they are both painkillers, ibuprofen and acetaminophen function differently. Also, different organs in your body clear these substances from your system. The liver breaks down acetaminophen, and the kidney breaks down ibuprofen.

Although it is well known that ibuprofen might stress your stomach and kidneys, and acetaminophen might stress your liver, most physicians feel that as long as you take a safe dosage, there is little to be worried about. Of course, taking too much acetaminophen with alcohol is never recommended, because that can cause liver damage.

How Do I Know if I’ve Taken Too Much?

While you can take both together, it is important to stick to the recommended dosage. You may experience these symptoms after taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together:

• Stomach pain
• Tinnitus
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Diarrhea

If you do experience these symptoms, call your doctor right away.

Only take the minimal amount of ibuprofen or acetaminophen needed to relieve your pain. For adults with pain, that’s 200-400 mg of OTC ibuprofen or 352-650 mg of OTC acetaminophen every 4-6 hours. Dosing recommendations will vary based on the strength of the medication. Review all drug information prior to taking it. And of course, please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Find your medications to learn about drug interactions, side effects, and more.

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Combining Tylenol and Advil to reduce fever and pain in children and adults

When deciding what medication to use for pain management or fever reduction, many people turn to two of the best over-the-counter options: Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen). Both are available in name-brand or store-brand varieties, and the later work equally well.

Often, those looking for pain relief assume they must choose one medication or the other when, in fact, it is possible to use both medications together as each is processed differently by the body—acetaminophen is processed through the liver while ibuprofen clears through the kidneys. Additionally, studies have indicated that, when combined correctly, acetaminophen and ibuprofen provide greater relief than when used independently of one another.

For Adults and children over age 12

Researchers have recently investigated just how powerful the combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen are in managing pain in adults. Studies indicate that, when combined, the two offer an equal  level of pain relief as opioid narcotics.

For children over the age of 12 and adults, both medications may be taken together at the same time. It is important to note the recommended dosage limits for adults and children over the age of 12:

• 3,000 mg per day for acetaminophen
• 1,200 mg per day for ibuprofen

In March of 2020, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen combination drug in the U.S. Labeled Advil Dual Action, the medication is currently available at drugstores and grocery markets and contains 125mg of ibuprofen and 250mg of acetaminophen per tablet. Always read packaging labels and talk your doctor before starting a new medication.

The release of this drug is promising news as doctors look for alternatives to narcotics while the nation continues to battle the opioid epidemic.

For Fever Reduction in Children Under 12

When children experience fever, a caregiver’s first reaction is to try to eliminate it. While we want to offer medication that makes children more comfortable, it is important to remember that fever serves an important role in fighting infection. The presence of fever is a positive indication that the body’s immune response is working properly.

However, to provide comfort, choose either a children’s acetaminophen or ibuprofen and follow the dose directions on the back of the bottle. If one medication does not seem to work sufficiently to reduce fever or pain in children age 12 and under, the key is to alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen: administer one medication at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m., and the other at 12 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.

It is important to read the back of the package for dosing recommendations, and always check with your pediatrician before starting a new medication.

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