Is It Safe to Take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Advil or Motrin (Ibuprofen) Together?
Key takeaways:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are both over-the-counter (OTC) medications for pain and fever.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work differently in the body. They are also cleared from the body by different organs. This makes it safe to take them together for additional pain relief if one alone doesn’t do the trick.
You should never take more than the recommended daily amount of OTC pain medications. If your pain isn’t relieved, talk to a healthcare professional for other options.
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Table of contents
Tylenol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are two common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. If you’re treating a fever or minor aches and pains, one of these medications may be your go-to treatment. But can you take ibuprofen and Tylenol together? Here’s what you need to know about combining these medications safely.
Can you take ibuprofen and Tylenol together?
Yes, you can safely take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together in most cases. In fact, taking these two medications together seems to work better than prescription opioids to relieve certain types of pain. Just be sure to stay within the recommended daily dosages of each medication.
That being said, it’s best to start with one medication at a time. There’s no reason to take two medications if one works well on its own.
You should also make sure both medications are safe for you before you take them together. Your pharmacist or primary care physician can review your other medications and health conditions to check for any issues. And be sure to let them know if OTC treatments aren’t working for your symptoms.
Pain management options: A list of non-opioid options for treating pain and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Advil versus Tylenol: Learn the differences between these two over-the-counter pain relievers.
Fevers in children: What to watch for and the best treatment options to consider.
Why is the combination safe?
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen work differently to treat pain and fever. They’re also cleared from the body by different organs. This makes them safe to combine in most cases.
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer, but it isn’t considered an anti-inflammatory medication. Ibuprofen, however, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs treat pain, fever, and swelling (inflammation). Other common OTC NSAIDs include aspirin (Ecotrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).
What are the risks of combining acetaminophen and ibuprofen?
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen each have risks to consider before taking them. Combining the medications doesn’t change their individual risks. It just means you’ll need to consider the risks of each medication, not just one. Both medications are considered safe if they’re taken as directed.
Ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause inflammation, so blocking them helps reduce swelling. But they also protect the stomach, so blocking them can cause irritation of the stomach, intestines, and esophagus. This is why long-term use of ibuprofen can cause stomach inflammation (gastritis) and bleeding. Acetaminophen, on the other hand, doesn’t irritate the stomach.
Acetaminophen is broken down almost completely by the liver. If you take too much acetaminophen, or drink alcohol while taking it, the added stress on your liver could result in liver damage. Unlike acetaminophen, ibuprofen is mostly broken down by the kidneys, so it’s safe for the liver. But ibuprofen can lessen blood flow to the kidneys in some cases. And taking too much ibuprofen can damage your kidneys.
How much acetaminophen can you take?
The dosing recommendation for acetaminophen depends on what form you’re taking. For the 325 mg (regular strength) pills, adults and children over 12 years of age can take up to 2 pills every 4 to 6 hours as needed. For the 500 mg pills (extra-strength tablets), you can take up to 2 pills every 6 hours.
For children, the acetaminophen dosage is based on body weight. Your pediatrician can help determine the right dose for your child.
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The highest dose of acetaminophen you should ever take is 4,000 mg per day for adults and children 12 and over. But the manufacturer recommends no more than 3,000 mg daily out of caution. This may be a better choice, especially if you have low body weight, drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day, or have a fever. A lower dose is also better if you’re taking acetaminophen every day for more than a week at a time.
Good to know: Acetaminophen is a common ingredient in other medications, such as OTC cough and cold products. Be sure to read the ingredients list of any OTC products you’re taking to avoid extra acetaminophen you may not be aware of.
How much ibuprofen can you take?
OTC ibuprofen is available in 200 mg tablets for adults and children ages 12 years and older. The ibuprofen dosage for mild to moderate pain is 200 mg to 400 mg (1 to 2 tablets) every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The maximum dose of ibuprofen you should take on your own is 1,200 mg (6 adult tablets) per day.
Keep in mind that the ibuprofen dosage for children is based on body weight, and the maximum daily dose may be lower.
Good to know: Liquid ibuprofen comes in two different forms: “children’s ibuprofen” and “infants’ ibuprofen.” These liquids have different concentrations, and they are not interchangeable. Be sure to double check the formula and dosing instructions you’re using to avoid dosing errors.
Take our quiz: Advil or Tylenol?
Is alternating between acetaminophen and ibuprofen more effective?
It depends. Sometimes, one medication works well to control your pain or fever, but the effects wear off before it’s time for your next dose. In this case, alternating between two different medications (such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen) can help prevent this from happening. Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen is most often recommended to manage fevers in children.
In most cases, you’ll separate acetaminophen and ibuprofen doses by 2 to 3 hours and alternate medications throughout the day. Just be sure to follow the suggested dosage for each medication and don’t take more than recommended in a day. Ask a healthcare professional for guidance if you have questions about how to alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen safely.
Can you take Advil or Tylenol with Aleve (naproxen)?
Yes, you can take Tylenol with Aleve (naproxen). Like ibuprofen, naproxen is an NSAID that works differently from Tylenol. So it’s OK to combine them. But OTC naproxen is only approved for adults and children ages 12 and older, so it’s not an option for younger children.
The recommended OTC naproxen dosage is 220 mg (1 tablet) every 8 to 12 hours, as needed. You shouldn’t take more than 660 mg (3 tablets) in a 24-hour period.
But you shouldn’t take Advil, or any other type of ibuprofen, with Aleve. That’s because ibuprofen and naproxen are both NSAIDs. Taking more than one NSAID at a time can put you at risk for side effects, including kidney damage, stomach ulcers, or bleeding. So combining them isn’t recommended.
Frequently asked questions
No, Aleve contains naproxen, not ibuprofen. The most common ibuprofen brand names are Advil and Motrin. But ibuprofen and naproxen belong to the same drug class — they’re both NSAIDs. So you shouldn’t take them together.
You can take acetaminophen with or without food. It doesn’t usually cause stomach-related side effects. But ibuprofen can irritate your stomach and raise your risk of ulcers. So it’s best to take ibuprofen with food.
Neither acetaminophen or ibuprofen are considered blood thinners. But NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can raise your risk of bleeding — especially if they’re combined with prescription blood thinners.
The bottom line
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are two commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. When one alone doesn’t do the trick, they can be taken together for added pain relief in most cases. It’s generally safe to take ibuprofen and Tylenol together because they work differently in the body and are cleared by different organs. You can also alternate between the two medications if your symptoms are spiking in-between doses of just one medication.
Always follow the recommended dosing for both medications. If your pain still isn’t relieved by taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen, talk to a healthcare professional. They can help you find another option that’s safe for you.
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References
Luo, S., et al. (2017). Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen versus monotherapies in improvements of distress and reducing refractory fever in febrile children: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Drugs.
Malik, K., et al. (2022). Prostaglandins. StatPearls.
Moore, P. A., et al. (2013). Combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen for acute pain management after third-molar extractions: Translating clinical research to dental practice. Journal of the American Dental Association.
Teater, D. (n.d.). Evidence for the efficacy of pain medications. National Safety Council.
