Can You Combine Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen?
Different Pain, Same Medication
Pain, whether chronic or temporary, can ruin anyone’s day. But sometimes, it’s difficult to know which medications to take for which type of pain.
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen both target pain, but they work in different ways. The ideal solution would be to combine them so you get the benefits of both. But if medications are different, can they be combined? The good news is that an FDA-approved medication that combines both ibuprofen and acetaminophen already exists. Learn more about both ibuprofen and acetaminophen, the benefits of taking them together and how Advil Dual Action is the only over-the-counter medication that combines both.
What’s Ibuprofen?
Over-the-counter ibuprofen—the active ingredient in Advil tablets—belongs to a group of medications called non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and relieve minor aches and pains from a variety of causes, such as:
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Arthritis
- Menstruation
- Common colds
- Toothaches
- Backaches
Ibuprofen relieves pain by blocking the production of prostaglandins, a hormone-like substance that causes aches, fever and inflammation. Prostaglandins are signaling factors that make us more aware of pain and fever in inflamed areas. Ibuprofen reacts with our body’s chemistry to inhibit their production, so we feel less pain.
What’s Acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is in a class of medications called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). It’s used to bring down fever and relieve minor to moderate aches and pains from:
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Menstruation
- Colds and sore throats
- Toothaches
- Backaches
- Soreness due to injections and vaccines
Acetaminophen works by changing the way your body reacts to pain and cooling you down. While it can relieve pain, acetaminophen isn’t an anti-inflammatory agent. In addition, acetaminophen shouldn’t be combined with certain substances. For instance, taking acetaminophen while drinking alcohol is highly discouraged and has the potential to make you more susceptible to liver damage.
Can You Take Both Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?
The FDA has approved Advil Dual Action, an over-the-counter product that combines acetaminophen and ibuprofen in 1 medication. This combination can be used to treat minor aches and pains including headache, backache, toothache, menstrual cramps, muscle ache and arthritis pain. The combination of acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve pain more effectively than either ingredient on its own.
The Benefits of a Dual-action Medication
As America continues to battle the opioid epidemic, there’s a demand for alternative pain medications that can be used instead of opioids. According to the American Dental Association, NSAIDs with or without the added benefit of acetaminophen are preferred to opioid medications as a first line option for most patients. Dual-action medications may help simplify the process of treating pain and become another standard first line of defense instead of opioids.
Advil Dual Action
Advil Dual Action combines both acetaminophen and ibuprofen for maximum pain relief. Combining ibuprofen and acetaminophen allows you to take a lower daily dose of both while reaping the same pain-relieving benefits. Advil Dual Action provides 8 hours of powerful relief and can help fight toothaches, backaches, menstrual cramps, muscle pains or minor pains from arthritis. In just 1 dose (2 capsules), Advil Dual Action includes:
- 250 mg ibuprofen
- 500 mg acetaminophen
Because each medication fights pain in a different way, you get fast-acting and long-lasting pain relief. You can learn more about pain relief via our Symptoms and Tips blog.
Looking to try Advil Dual Action or have questions? Talk to your pharmacist for more information.
Disclaimer: This information is educational only and is not meant to provide healthcare recommendations. Please see a healthcare provider.