When your child is sick, you'll probably reach for one of two medicine cabinet mainstays: acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Both effectively relieve pain and reduce fever, but they operate differently, so it can be difficult to know which one to choose. As it turns out, depending on the severity of your child's symptoms, some pediatricians will advise you not to choose at all. That's because alternating between ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be the best way to treat serious symptoms. Here's what parents should know. Show
Can You Take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?It's generally safe to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together, as long as you follow proper dosing instructions. That's because the medications work differently in the body. They're also eliminated by different organs—the liver for acetaminophen and the kidneys for ibuprofen—so you don't need to worry about excess organ strain. The two medications don't cause additional side effects when taken together (though some kids might get an upset stomach). What's more, multiple studies have shown increased effectiveness when taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. One reason is they have different mechanisms of action at the cellular level, explains Bande Mangaliso Virgil, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital. "They are both fever reducers (antipyretics) and are helpful for pain (analgesia). However, the key difference is ibuprofen is also a more potent anti-inflammatory medication, helpful for swelling that occurs with fevers." When Might You Alternate Between Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen?Dr. Virgil says switching between acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help with fevers that aren't responsive to one of the medications alone—especially when the fever causes great discomfort, irritation, confusion, or lethargy. "This can happen with high fevers associated with ear infections, significant viral infections like influenza, and bladder infections, to name a few," Dr. Virgil says. "Generally, it's easier to keep up with single medication dosing, but in the circumstances mentioned above, switching between the two may provide greater comfort and symptom and fever control." Dr. Virgil recommends starting with one medication and waiting 30 minutes to see if the symptoms improve. If not, you can add in the second medication, following the safety tips outlined below. How to Safely Switch Between Ibuprofen and AcetaminophenDoubling up on pain medications must be done carefully. Katherine Kazmier, M.D., a pediatrician with Seattle Children's Hospital, says it's generally safe to give both medications at the same time every six hours (always following dosing instructions on the bottle). Your child can also alternate between them, taking one every three hours. "Although acetaminophen can [usually] be given every four hours, when alternating with ibuprofen we usually give it every six hours because it's simpler to alternate medications every three hours," says Dr. Kazmier. To use both of these medications safely, always follow the correct dosage—and only combine them for a short period of time. "Both medications can have adverse effects when used at higher doses, so check the dose for your child's age and weight carefully, and check with your child's doctor if you're unsure," says Dr. Kazmier. She recommends keeping a written log of medications given, including the dosage and timing, to avoid accidentally mixing them up. If your child is still miserable after a day of double dosing, it's time to check with their health care provider. "Your child is more likely to have adverse effects from the medications if they are dehydrated or if they have a serious infection, so if they are not drinking fluids well, having severe pain, or acting more sick than a typical childhood illness, please call your child's doctor for advice," says Dr. Kazmier. Lastly, keep in mind that fever is usually not harmful. "In fact, it may be a helpful part of the immune response to infection, so I only recommend using acetaminophen or ibuprofen for comfort and to make them feel well enough to drink fluids and rest," says Dr. Kazmier. If your child acts playful or happy during a fever, they may not need any medicine at all. The Bottom LineIt can be safe to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. Always follow proper dosing instructions, and take the minimum amount possible to reduce symptoms. Talk to your child's doctor for more information on safely using these medications. Some people find Ibuprofen, commonly marketed under the brand name Advil, to be the best over-the-counter medication for minor aches and pains. At the same time, others may find the best relief from Tylenol or other acetaminophen medicines. However, sometimes combining the two seems to be the only way to manage pain symptoms. This raises the question: Find the lowest price for your medications and get free instant savings coupons for your local pharmacy here. No insurance or sign up is required. Can you mix ibuprofen and Tylenol?The short answer is yes! It's safe to take ibuprofen and Tylenol together for extra pain relief, as they are an effective combination because they work in different ways. But you should only take them together if you need to, and only if it is safe to do so. We put together this guide to explain how to take the two together effectively and safely. What is Ibuprofen and Tylenol?Ibuprofen is a medication that is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain from various ailments. This medication works by blocking the body's production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. Ibuprofen is used to treat conditions such as:
Tylenol and other acetaminophens are pain relievers (analgesic), and fever reducers (antipyretic) used to treat pain and fever symptoms associated with many conditions. Unlike ibuprofen, Tylenol works by blocking the brain from releasing substances that cause the feeling of pain. Tylenol is used to treat conditions such as:
If you suffer from severe liver damage, you should not use Tylenol. There are many brands and forms of acetaminophen available. Therefore, always read the dosage instructions thoroughly because each kind may require a different dose. What are the Side Effects of Ibuprofen and Tylenol?Both ibuprofen and Tylenol have side effects which can potentially be very harmful in the event of an overdose so you should never take more than the recommended dose. Side effects of ibuprofen:
Side effects of Tylenol:
Although rare, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can have serious side effects such as:
If you are experiencing any of the above, you should call your doctor right away. Taking too much ibuprofen can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and cause stomach ulcers to worsen. Liver damage may occur in the overuse of acetaminophen. These symptoms require medical attention. If you or someone you know has overdosed on either or both, you should seek medical attention right away. (You should always speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are taking prescribed medications before taking anything new, whether over-the-counter or prescribed due to the potential drug interactions and serious side effects that can occur.) How to Safely Mix Ibuprofen and TylenolYou always want to be sure you are safely combining these two OTC pain relievers to avoid serious complications. Can I take ibuprofen and Tylenol at the same time?Yes, you can take them simultaneously if you are careful to not take more than the recommended dose for each. Stomach or abdominal pain may occur when taking Tylenol and ibuprofen together. Therefore, alternating the medication might help prevent stomach pain from these two. How much ibuprofen and Tylenol can I take together?The answer to safely taking ibuprofen and Tylenol together is not to exceed the suggested dosage for each one. OTC ibuprofen is usually available in 200 milligrams (mg) pills, and the maximum dosage per day is 1200 mg, or six pills a day. However, there are different versions of the medication, so you should always read the dosing information carefully and verify how much is in each capsule. The maximum safe dosage of Tylenol for anyone 12 and over is 4,000 mg per day. However, that amount can still cause damage to the liver, so experts recommend shooting for no more than 3,000 mg per day. You should consult with your child's doctor if they are under 12 to determine a safe dose for their age and weight. How can I take ibuprofen and Tylenol together?There are three different ways you can take ibuprofen and Tylenol together. As we stated above, you can take both at the same time. For example, every six hours, you take the recommended dose of ibuprofen and one of acetaminophen. An example of a dosing schedule for this is:
Alternating doses: This is the best option for those who experience breakthrough pain and/or stomach pain when taken simultaneously. This combination may look like this:
Rotating days: This reduces the total amount of medicine you take and may help people with persistent chronic pain. An example of alternating days would be;
Can I combine ibuprofen and Tylenol with other OTC pain relievers?You can safely mix Tylenol with other NSAIDs, like aspirin and naproxen (Aleve). Be sure to follow the exact dosage recommendations as if you were taking Tylenol and ibuprofen together. However, you shouldn't mix ibuprofen with other NSAIDs. Doubling up on NSAIDs can enhance your risk for overdosing or experiencing other potentially serious side effects. And the same goes with taking two different medications containing acetaminophen. It's critical to thoroughly review the ingredients of other OTC medications before you take them because they may include NSAIDs or acetaminophen. A lot of OTC cough and cold medications or sleep assistance drugs contain one or the other. OTC medications to be mindful of include but are not limited to:
Final ThoughtsIt's important to remember that most pain medications work best if used before the first signs of pain occur or right after. Waiting till symptoms get worse means the drugs might work very little or not at all. If you are using these pain relievers, whether together or separately to treat yourself or a child for fever or pain, consult your healthcare provider right away if fever increases or lasts more than three days or if pain worsens or lasts more than ten days. How much Tylenol and ibuprofen can I take together?“The usual safe doses for ibuprofen is up to [a maximum of] 800 milligrams (mg) per dose every eight hours and acetaminophen 650 mg every six hours if taken together, assuming normal kidney and liver functions,” according to Dr.
What happens when you take ibuprofen and Tylenol together?When taken together, acetaminophen and ibuprofen may provide better pain relief. There is no evidence of higher risk or the occurrence of additional harmful side effects when they are used together. As long as you stay within the recommended dosages for both medications, you're unlikely to experience any problems.
How long should you wait between taking Tylenol and ibuprofen?How do you give acetaminophen and ibuprofen together? Doses of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol, Tempra) should be given at least four hours apart. Doses of ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) should be given at least six hours apart. There are limits on how much of each medication can be given in a 24-hour period.
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Can you mix tylenol and ibuprofen together
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