Can you take Advil & Tylenol together? Safe Dosing Guide
Yes, it is safe to take Advil (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) together if you need to for extra pain relief, such as for a dental extraction. This combination is more effective than taking either medication alone because they work through different mechanisms with minimal overlapping of side effects. But it is important to follow key safety guidelines which include:
- Follow the recommended dosages for both medications
- Check other medications for hidden ibuprofen or acetaminophen
- Consult your doctor before combining with prescription-strength ibuprofen
- Avoid if you have stomach ulcers, kidney problems, or liver issues.
Can you take Advil and Tylenol at the same time?
Yes, you can take Advil (ibuprofen) at the same time as Tylenol (acetaminophen). But if you want to get pain relief that lasts around the clock, then it is better to alternate them.
How do you alternate Advil and Tylenol for maximum relief?
The best way to alternate Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) is to take them 3 to 4 hours apart. For example, if you get up at 6.00 AM, you can take a dose of ibuprofen, then at 9.00 AM, you can take a dose of acetaminophen. You can continue this regimen throughout the day, making sure you don’t exceed the recommended maximum dose for each drug.
3-Hour Advil/Tylenol Alternating Schedule (Adults)
- 6 AM: Advil 400 mg
- 9 AM: Tylenol 1000 mg
- 12 PM: Advil 400 mg
- 3 PM: Tylenol 1000 mg
- 6 PM: Advil 400 mg
- 9 PM: Tylenol 1000 mg.
4-Hour Advil/Tylenol Alternating Schedule (Adults) (24/7 Pain Relief)
- 6 AM: Advil 400 mg
- 10 AM: Tylenol 1000 mg
- 2 PM: Advil 400 mg
- 6 PM: Tylenol 1000 mg
- 10 PM: Advil 400 mg
- 2 AM Tylenol 1000 mg.
Both schedules stay within safe daily limits: 3000 mg/day for acetaminophen and 1200 mg/day for OTC ibuprofen.
Safe Dosage Limits
Ibuprofen (Advil) Dosing
- Adults: 200-400 mg every 6-8 hours
- Maximum OTC dose: 1200 mg per day (6 x 200 mg tablets)
- Prescription maximum: Up to 3200 mg per day (doctor supervised)
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Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Dosing
- Adults: 500-1000 mg every 6 hours
- Maximum recommended: 3000 mg per day (experts recommend staying under 4000 mg)
- Children under 50 kg: Require lower doses
Clinical Trials: Combination ibuprofen and acetaminophen works
Several clinical trials report that the combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is more effective than taking either one alone.
- Combination tablets (200 mg ibuprofen + 500 mg acetaminophen) provided superior sustained pain relief compared to single medications.
- Combination ibuprofen and acetaminophen was just as effective as some opioids (oxycodone, hydrocodone, or codeine) at relieving moderate to severe pain (baseline score of 8.7) in 416 adults.
- Particularly effective for dental pain, post-surgical pain, and injury recovery.
How do ibuprofen and acetaminophen work?
- Ibuprofen is a NSAID that blocks COX enzymes to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain at the source.
- Acetaminophen works centrally in the brain to reduce pain signals, with minimal anti-inflammatory effects.
Hidden acetaminophen warning
When taking pain relief, always check the product labels for "hidden" acetaminophen, so you don't accidentally double up on the dose. These common medications also contain acetaminophen:
- DayQuil/NyQuil
- Excedrin
- Midol
- Sudafed
- Many prescription pain medications.
When to Avoid This Combination
Don't combine ibuprofen and acetaminophen if you have:
- Active stomach ulcers
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems
- Regular alcohol consumption (increases liver damage risk)
- Allergies to NSAIDs.
Frequently asked questions about Advil & Tylenol
Can you take ibuprofen and acetaminophen at exactly the same time?
Yes, but alternating every 3-4 hours provides better around-the-clock pain relief.
How long can you safely alternate them?
For acute pain, 2-3 days is typically safe. Consult a doctor for longer-term use.
Is the combination of Advil & Tylenol safe for children?
Yes, with age-appropriate dosing. Younger children need pediatric formulations.
References
- Mehlisch DR, Aspley S, Daniels SE, Southerden KA, Christensen KS. A single-tablet fixed-dose combination of racemic ibuprofen/paracetamol in the management of moderate to severe postoperative dental pain in adult and adolescent patients: a multicenter, two-stage, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, factorial study. Clinical therapeutics 2010; 32(6): 1033‐1049.
- Moore PA, Hersh EV. Combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen for acute pain management after third-molar extractions: translating clinical research to dental practice. J Am Dent Assoc. 2013 Aug;144(8):898-908. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0207. PMID: 23904576. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23904576/
- Chang AK, Bijur PE, Esses D, Barnaby DP, Baer J. Effect of a Single Dose of Oral Opioid and Nonopioid Analgesics on Acute Extremity Pain in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017 Nov 7;318(17):1661-1667. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.16190. PMID: 29114833; PMCID: PMC5818795. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29114833/
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