Can You Take Benadryl and Advil Together? Yes, But Not Long Term
Key takeaways:
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Advil (ibuprofen) are popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Benadryl is an antihistamine, and Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
It’s generally considered safe for people to take Benadryl and Advil together for short periods of time. As long as you can safely take either by itself, you should be able to combine them.
Neither Benadryl or Advil is recommended for long-term use. Long-term use of Benadryl can cause serious side effects, such as trouble urinating or confusion. Taking Advil for longer than recommended can lead to stomach ulcers or kidney damage.
Table of contents
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Advil (ibuprofen) are popular over-the-counter (OTC) medications. So much so, it wouldn’t be surprising if you probably have one or both in your medicine cabinet right now.
Benadryl is an antihistamine that’s used to treat allergies and symptoms of the common cold. Because it commonly causes drowsiness, it’s also found in some OTC sleep medications. Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It’s commonly used for fever reduction and pain relief.
But what if you need both allergy and pain relief? Can you take Benadryl and Advil together? In short, yes. Most people can safely take both medications. But it’s best to limit your use of both to help lower the risk of serious side effects.
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Below, we discuss more about combining Benadryl and Advil, as well as side effects to watch out for.
Good to know: The active ingredients in Benadryl and Advil are sold under various brand names. For instance, Advil and Motrin both contain ibuprofen. The information discussed in this article pertains to all brand names for diphenhydramine and ibuprofen. The OTC labels of your medications can tell you if your products contain either active ingredient.
Can you combine Benadryl and Advil?
Yes, most people can combine Benadryl and Advil. In fact, Advil PM (ibuprofen / diphenhydramine) contains the active ingredients of both medications. Diphenhydramine and ibuprofen are also found in many OTC combination cough and cold products.
In general, if you can take Benadryl or Advil by itself, you can safely combine them. Taking both can be helpful if you have both pain and allergy symptoms. It can also be useful if minor aches or pains are making it hard to fall asleep.
If you’re mixing Benadryl and Advil together, be sure to follow the directions for each to avoid taking too much. If you also take other OTC products, make sure you check the active ingredients list on the Drug Facts label. You’ll want to see if there are other antihistamines or NSAIDs on the label. These would interact if you’re already taking Benadryl and Advil.
If you’re unsure whether you can take Benadryl or Advil with your other medications, ask a pharmacist. They can let you know if you can safely combine medications.
What are the risks of combining Benadryl and Advil?
It’s generally safe for most people to take Benadryl and Advil together. But this doesn’t mean they’re free from side effects. And combining them means you may experience side effects from either or both medications.
The table below lists some common side effects of Benadryl and Advil, respectively. This isn’t a comprehensive list. A healthcare professional can provide you with more detailed information for each medication.
| Common Benadryl side effects | Common Advil side effects |
|---|---|
|
|
You should take the lowest possible doses of Benadryl and Advil for the shortest time needed. This can lessen side effects and help prevent more serious complications.
Insomnia treatments: Some people combine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Advil (ibuprofen) to help them sleep. Read about other sleep medications here.
How to take Advil PM: Pharmacists discuss recommended dosages for Advil PM — a product that combines Benadryl and Advil in one pill.
Is Benadryl a good sleep aid? Find out why experts don’t recommend taking Benadryl for sleep for more than 2 weeks in a row.
Are Benadryl and Advil safe for long-term use?
It’s not recommended for most people to take Benadryl or Advil long term. They each have possible long-term risks and side effects.
There are times when people need to take Benadryl or Advil long term to help manage health conditions. But if you need to take them for longer than what’s listed on their OTC labels, contact a healthcare professional.
Long-term Benadryl risks
You shouldn’t take Benadryl for sleep for more than 2 weeks (14 days) in a row. Research suggests that antihistamines such as Benadryl don’t work well for managing chronic sleep problems. And it’s possible to build up a tolerance to the drowsiness antihistamines cause. This means that Benadryl may not work as well for sleep over time.
Even if you’re not taking Benadryl for sleep, it’s still good to avoid taking it long term. The medication can cause serious side effects, such as trouble urinating or confusion. And there’s mixed evidence about whether long-term antihistamine use is linked to dementia. Limiting your use of it can help lower the risk of serious side effects.
Long-term Advil risks
You shouldn’t take Advil for fever for more than 3 days in a row without guidance from your healthcare professional. And you shouldn't take it for pain for more than 10 days in a row. Taking it longer than this raises your risk of serious side effects.
Possible long-term Advil side effects include:
Stomach ulcers or bleeding
Stroke
When should you not mix Benadryl and Advil?
In some situations, it might not be safe to mix Benadryl and Advil. Examples of people who may want to avoid combining them include those who are:
Allergic to antihistamines or NSAIDs
Already taking another medication that contains diphenhydramine or ibuprofen
Already taking another antihistamine or NSAID
Not able to safely take Benadryl or Advil on its own
Under age 12 (if taking the combination for sleep)
What other medications should you not mix with Benadryl and Advil?
While Benadryl and Advil don’t interact with each other, they do have other interactions to know about. The table below highlights notable ones.
Keep in mind the table isn’t comprehensive. So be sure to share your medication list with your healthcare team. This can help them identify potential interactions.
| Benadryl interactions | Advil interactions |
|---|---|
|
|
What are the best alternatives to Benadryl and Advil?
There are alternatives to Benadryl and Advil if you can’t take them. Some are available OTC, while others you can only get with a prescription. The right choice for you depends on what symptom or condition you’re taking it for. It also depends on your age and other medications you take. Your healthcare team can help you pick the best option for you.
Alternatives to Benadryl for allergies include:
Nondrowsy oral antihistamines, such as fexofenadine (Allegra)
Antihistamine nasal sprays, such as azelastine (Astepro)
Corticosteroid nasal sprays, such as fluticasone propionate (Flonase)
Combination nasal sprays, such as Dymista (azelastine / fluticasone)
Alternatives to Benadryl for sleep include:
Ramelteon (Rozerem)
Orexin receptor antagonists, such as suvorexant (Belsomra)
Alternatives to Advil for mild-to-moderate pain include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Diclofenac gel (Voltaren Arthritis Pain)
Lidocaine patches (Aspercreme Lidocaine Pain Relief)
Frequently asked questions
No, you shouldn’t take Advil PM and Benadryl together. Advil PM is a combination of Advil (ibuprofen) and Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Taking more Benadryl on top of what’s already in Advil PM can cause excessive side effects, such as drowsiness or confusion. And in rare cases, it could cause a Benadryl overdose.
Yes, most people can take Advil, Benadryl, and Tylenol together. All three medications work differently and don’t interact with each other. As long as you take Advil, Benadryl, and Tylenol by themselves, combining them should be OK. But it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional about timing. They may suggest separating Advil and Tylenol doses by a few hours. Alternating the two can help provide better symptom management for some people.
The bottom line
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Advil (ibuprofen) are commonly used over-the-counter medications. Most people can safely take Benadryl and Advil together. They don’t interact with each other. But you shouldn’t take either medication long term without a healthcare professional’s OK. Benadryl and Advil each have their own risks and side effects to consider. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to take both Benadryl and Advil, ask your healthcare team.
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References
Kenvue Brands. (2024). Motrin IB- ibuprofen capsule, liquid filled [package insert]. DailyMed.
Sateia, M. J., et al. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
