How soon can i take tylenol after advil

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In one 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.

How Does Advil Work?

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 Line

If 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

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