How soon after taking tylenol can you take ibuprofen

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.

You’ve probably heard of both acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). They’re two of the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) pain killers. But do you know the difference between them?

While acetaminophen and ibuprofen both function as pain relievers, they are different kinds of drugs. Acetaminophen, also known as APAP, is a nonopioid analgesic and antipyretic agent that reduce pain and fever. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation, pain, and mild to moderate fever.

People take ibuprofen and acetaminophen for headaches, menstrual cramps, back pain, mouth or tooth pain, and fevers. You can safely take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. Before you do, though, you should be aware of the correct dosage for each separately.

How Much Acetaminophen Can You Take?

Those over the age of 12 can usually safely take up to 4,000 mg of acetaminophen per day. However, to be on the safe side, you shouldn’t take more than 3,000 mg per day unless recommended by your doctor. That’s because acetaminophen can be harmful to your liver. For children aged 12 and under, ask your doctor for the best dosage, depending on how much they weigh.

Usually, for day-to-day pain, you won’t need more than 1,000 mg per day. Many OTC medications contain acetaminophen, though the dose they include can vary. Most commonly, you can expect to see doses between 300 and 650 mg. If you’re looking at the label and checking for acetaminophen, keep in mind that it might be labeled as APAP.

How Much Ibuprofen Can You Take?

OTC ibuprofen comes most commonly in 200 or 400 mg pills.

Adults should never take more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen per day unless it’s recommended and supervised by a doctor. Additionally, adults shouldn’t take more than 800 mg of ibuprofen at a time. Older adults—age 60 and over—should limit taking ibuprofen, if possible, because they have a greater risk of gastrointestinal and kidney side effects.

A safe dosage of ibuprofen for children depends on their weight and the specific formulation of the medication. Talk to your doctor before giving your child ibuprofen to be on the safe side.

Taking Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen at the Same Time

You can take ibuprofen and acetaminophen together safely if you don’t exceed the recommended dose for either drug. If you combine them and experience unwanted side effects such as abdominal pain, avoid taking them together. Instead, you can alternate taking them throughout the day at different times, separated by hours.

Research suggests that taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together might be more effective at relieving pain than taking only one or the other. Furthermore, taking them together means that the total amount you take of each of them per day is less.

The FDA approved Advil Dual Action, a medication that contains both acetaminophen and ibuprofen, in early 2020 for headache, toothache, backache, muscle pains, arthritis pain, and menstrual cramps. Each caplet contains 250 mg of acetaminophen and 125 mg of ibuprofen, with a dosage of two every eight hours for persisting symptoms.

To date, no other medication with both of these OTC pain relievers has received approval. While getting them separately is easy enough, you can’t deny the convenience of having both in one caplet. It means having one less pill to swallow, after all.

Saving Money on Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen

Whether you’re buying Advil Dual Action or acetaminophen and ibuprofen separately, finding the store in your area selling these medications at the lowest price will benefit your bank account in the long run. These drugs aren’t typically expensive, but you should always have some available at home, as getting them for less adds up over time. 

You can find the best deals by using a prescription savings card company like ScriptSave® WellRx, which works with pharmacies across the country to offer the lowest prices. To save on these medications with ScriptSave WellRx, you'll need a doctor's prescription. Just download a savings card either from our website or app. With coupons on medications, you can end up saving up to 80 percent.

Dr. Diana Rangaves, Google Scholar, holds a doctorate from the University of California. As a clinical pharmacist and writer, she has extensive experience and expertise in all levels of content creation, leadership, health, fintech, and business sectors. A published author, she writes for numerous print and online outlets. Diana lives in California with her dogs and pasture pets in their forever home.

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