My doctor said I could alternate Tylenol with Motrin for my child, but I am not sure what he means. Do you give them at the same time so that you use less of each? Or can you give them more frequently by alternating them?
What does it mean to alternate acetaminophen with ibuprofen?
Question posted by Anonymous on 26 Sep 2010
Last updated on 25 April 2017
Added 26 Sep 2010:
I don't understand why you should alternate. Can you not give doses of Motrin ever 4-6 hours and Tylenol every 4-6 hours. Why use both, alternately, instead of just one product every 4-6 hours. I'm sorry I'm so dense.
5 Answers
Jvargas55
10 March 2017
He means give one then 2 or three hours later give the other Tylenol can be give every 4 hours Motrin how ever is every 6-8 . Motrin is stronger hence a smaller dose is required
YourWelcome
24 Aug 2016
Rotating from acetaphetamine to Ibuprofen every two hours allows a person to be pain free more consistently. Also, using this method is easier on the body. One is digested by the liver, and the other is digested by the kidneys. Most pain medication is hard on the body when taken in big doses, so this method is the best solution.
IhearttheOcean
27 Sep 2010
I usually alternate every 2 hours because each of them can be take after 4 hours, but they wear off after 2-3 hours. So if you alternate them every 2 hours, you can keep on track with using each at 4 hours like ur supposed to but keep them working to control pain constantly instead of wearing off like normal
hqi1321
10 Dec 2016
Don't do that. The reason why the doctor tells you to alternate between the two is because if you take too much Tylenol within 24 hours, you will get liver failure. The ibuprofen is there to hold you over between doses of Tylenol. Always follow the directions on the bottle. Double check with a healthcare provider (say, a pharmacist if that's more convenient, if you're not sure.
IhearttheOcean
10 Dec 2016
Don't do what? I was explaining the same thing you mentioned. Alternating between ibuprofen and acetaminophen every 2 hours because you have to wait 4 hours for each of them to take a second dose of the same thing. So instead you take a dose of Acetaminophen now, then Ibuprofen in 2 hours and back to Acetaminophen 2 hours later as needed. I think you misread what I was saying and we were both actually saying the same thing.
hqi1321
10 Dec 2016
Oh, I see. In that case I did misread you answer.
nicolemd
25 April 2017
Don't give it every two hours. Not sure if I'm reading this correctly but nothing should be given every two hours. One drug or the other can be given every 6-8 hours.
christineATU
26 Sep 2010
Alternating the meds simply means to use one med (Ibuprofen) and the next dose switch to the Acetaminophen. That way you could give your child doses closer together. Every 4 to 6 hours most likely. Hope your child feels better soon!
Best wishes,
chris
melissab(twilightfan85)
27 Sep 2010
exactly... so if you give your child a dose of motrin at 1pm, then when the next dosing time rolls around (lets just say around 5pm), you use the tylenol. make sure you have an accurate medicine dropper. i found that the droppers that come with the medicine (or the little measuring cups or normal tablespoons) arent very accurate. i was told this at the hospital where they gave me a hand full of their medicine droppers. they were very helpful and gave very clear instructions on the dosing.
christineATU
27 Sep 2010
Your childs doctor must want her/him to take medicine more often. It's not safe to give the same medicine too soon. But it's safe if it's a different medicine. And you are not dense. You only misunderstood your doctor.
Inactive
27 Sep 2010
Thank you so much.
christineATU
27 Sep 2010
Our pleasure. And hope all goes well.
Inactive
26 Sep 2010
Alternate them every 4 to 6 hours. One is better for dropping fever ( tylenol) and one is better for pain and inflammation. If you are alternating them, you can try giving a little less than is recommended if you are worried about this much medication in a child.
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motrin, tylenol, acetaminophen, ibuprofen
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