Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen: When to Take Each One

Fevers. Bee stings. Body aches. Swollen ankles.

People take pain relievers for many reasons, including these. There are two main over-the-counter pain relievers that most people use: acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Sometimes we may not know which one to choose or may think they both do the same thing.

We put together a guide to help you decide which pain reliever is best in different situations, the brand names that common pain relievers are known by, and other important questions that you might have about pain relievers.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in the body.

Acetaminophen can be taken in several forms, including:

• capsule
• dissolvable packets
• liquid
• tablet (chewable, non-chewable, dissolving, extended release)

A single dose of regular acetaminophen lasts for 4-6 hours on average.

Side effects of acetaminophen are rare and typically mild. For some people, these may include:

• nausea/vomiting
• loss of appetite

Taking more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours can risk serious liver damage.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that helps to reduce pain, fevers, and inflammation.

Ibuprofen is available over the counter in tablet and liquid forms.

Most people who take ibuprofen don’t have any side effects. In some less likely cases, side effects may include:

• constipation
• dizziness
• gas/bloating
• nervousness

A single dose of regular ibuprofen lasts 4-6 hours on average.

Taking more than 2,400 mg of ibuprofen in 24 hours can raise your risk of side effects and other health problems. The maximum dose may change for some people depending on certain health conditions. Avoid taking this medication if you have recently had a heart attack.

Can you take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together?

Yes, taking a dose of acetaminophen and ibuprofen together is safe.

Research shows that taking one dose each of acetaminophen and ibuprofen together provides pain relief and reduced inflammation. As long as you avoid taking more than the daily recommended amount of each pain reliever, you can take these two medications together.

Brand names for pain relievers

Similar to Kleenex or ChapStick, pain relievers are often referred to by brand names. To reduce confusion, here are the names of some common pain relievers and the pain reliever they are associated with.

• Acetaminophen: Tylenol
• Ibuprofen: Advil, Motrin

Dosage of pain relievers

How much you take of any medication depends on your age and weight.

When you open the packaging for the pain reliever you purchased, you should be able to find the correct dosage based on the age and body weight of the child or adult taking it. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a dosage chart for children ages 3 months to 18 years.

If you are unsure about your child’s weight, experts recommend choosing the appropriate age. Check with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions.

Always check which ingredients are in the medicines you are taking. Some products contain multiple ingredients, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which may lead to taking too much medication.

When to call a healthcare provider about pain relievers

Some patients who are taking other medications or living with specific health conditions may have an increased risk of side effects with some pain relievers.

Talk with your primary care provider if you need to take pain relievers and have:

• heart conditions
• kidney or liver conditions
• pain or fever that won’t go away after 3 days
• recent heart attack or stroke
• recent surgeries