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word or less: Yes. If you have a bad headache and find both Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) in your medicine cabinet, go ahead and reach for both. “Since the medications work differently and are processed in the body by different organs, it is safe for otherwise healthy individuals to use both concurrently, or by alternating medications with each dose,” says John Raimo, M.D., chair of medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in Queens, NY. Robert Glatter,
M.D., an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, takes it a step further. “Taking them together has an additive or synergistic effect on pain relief,” says Dr. Glatter. Plus, both can help bring a fever down. In fact, the drugs work so well together that in March 2020 the FDA approved the first over-the-counter combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, marketed as Advil Dual Action. So how does each drug work? Let’s take a look. Advil is what’s called an NSAID, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This type of drug, which also includes aspirin and Aleve (naproxen), prevents certain enzymes in your body from producing chemicals called prostaglandins. These are hormones that trigger inflammation. They also help produce the pain you feel when you have an injury. NSAIDs like Advil offer relief by interrupting this process. How Does Tylenol Work?That’s less clear. Acetaminophen has been around for nearly 150 years, and it has been sold as Tylenol since 1955. About 50 million Americans take it each week, according to the manufacturer. It might come as a surprise, therefore, to learn that experts still are uncertain the exact mechanism at play that makes the drug so effective. Some evidence, says Dr. Glatter, suggests that it targets the central nervous system, tamping down nerve signals that cause you to feel pain. One thing is clear: Unlike Advil and other NSAIDs, Tylenol does not reduce inflammation. “Although acetaminophen can have a similar effect [on pain and fever], it works through a different pathway,” says Dr. Raimo. Is Advil or Tylenol Better for Pain?Ibuprofen is the clear winner, says Dr. Glatter. “While it may be used to treat mild to moderate pain, Tylenol is used to treat fever primarily,” he says. “Ibuprofen is a more effective approach for treating sprains and contusions to soft tissue and muscles. In adults, as well as young children and infants over 3 months, ibuprofen is also adept at treating strains, headaches, and fever.” Just because it’s safe to take Advil and Tylenol together doesn’t necessarily mean you should, though. The combo can cause some people experience an upset stomach, cautions Dr. Glatter. “If this is the case for you, it’s better to alternate times when you take each medication, spacing out the dosing,” he recommends. And finally, take note: These over-the-counter meds may not need a doctor’s prescription, but they can still be dangerous if you overdo it. Excessive use of Advil and other NSAIDs can boost your blood pressure and raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke, for example. Too much Tylenol damages your liver, and that can be fatal or require a liver transplant. Make sure to take no more than the recommended dose. For Advil, that’s 1,200 mg per day, or six tablets total. Doses should be spaced four to six hours apart. Don’t take more than 3,000 mg of Tylenol per day. Space doses four to six hours apart for regular strength and six hours apart for extra strength. Dr. Glatter advises parents to check with their doctor before giving either medication to children under 12. The Bottom LineIf you’re dealing with a fever, grab the Tylenol. Strained your back? Try Advil. If the pain doesn’t get better after 24 hours, take both—but better yet, give your doctor a call to see if there’s something bigger going on with your health.  Meet Our Writer Matt McMillen Matt McMillen has been a freelance health reporter since 2002. In that time he’s written about everything from acupuncture to the Zika virus. He covers breaking medical news and the latest medical studies, profiles celebrities 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. Massachi.
How far apart should you take Tylenol and ibuprofen?Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are over-the-counter pain relievers that work differently. It's generally safe to combine them as follows: Take ibuprofen and Tylenol together every 4 to 6 hours. Take ibuprofen and Tylenol alternating every 2 to 3 hours depending on the dose.
How soon after taking ibuprofen can you take Tylenol?In this case, it's better to alternate when you take each medication. For example, you could take ibuprofen first, followed by acetaminophen four hours later, and then repeat this process as needed. You could also alternate days. For example, if you take ibuprofen on Monday, take acetaminophen on Tuesday and so on.
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Can u take ibuprofen and tylenol at same time
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