When you’re battling a fever, body aches or other flu symptoms, you want relief—and fast! The good news is that over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can work together to ease your discomfort and help you feel like yourself again.
Here’s a simple guide to using these medications safely. If you’re unsure about your symptoms or feel like you need extra care, know that your doctor, our online symptom checker, urgent care or even a quick call to a nurse hotline are just a step away.
Remember: Go to the closest emergency room or call 911 to get emergency help if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, bluish lips, persistent vomiting, or a fever above 104°F. For children, seek help with fevers in babies under 3 months, seizures or severe dehydration. Always trust your instincts—if something feels serious, don’t wait to get care!
Why use ibuprofen and acetaminophen together?
Both ibuprofen and acetaminophen are great at relieving fever and pain, but they work differently:
- Ibuprofen helps reduce inflammation in addition to easing pain and lowering fever.
- Acetaminophen focuses on reducing fever and pain without tackling inflammation.
Because they work in different ways, you can safely alternate them or even take them together for more consistent relief. Think of them as a tag team working to help you feel better.
How to use them safely
Remember: While acetaminophen and ibuprofen are typically safe, not everyone should take them. Talk to your doctor if you have kidney, digestive, bleeding or liver problems, or if you’re taking other medications. Your pharmacist or primary care physician can review your other medications and health conditions to check for any issues.
Know the right dosages
- Ibuprofen: 200–400 mg every 6–8 hours (max 1,200 mg/day for over-the-counter use).
- Acetaminophen: 500–1,000 mg every 4–6 hours (max 3,000–4,000 mg/day, depending on the product).
Double-check the label or ask your doctor for guidance, especially for children—dosing for kids is based on weight, not age.
Create a schedule: Alternating these medications keeps your symptoms managed around the clock. For example:
- 8:00 am: Take ibuprofen.
- Noon: Take acetaminophen.
- 4:00 pm: Take ibuprofen.
- 8:00 pm: Take acetaminophen.
This staggered approach lets each medication take turns helping you, so you don’t have to wait too long for relief.
Taking them together
If your symptoms are really tough to handle, you can take ibuprofen and acetaminophen at the same time for short-term relief. This might be helpful for severe aches or a stubborn fever. Just make sure you take once and then continue alternating after that and don’t exceed the daily limits for either medication.
When to call a doctor
You can always call a doctor when you or a loved one are not feeling well. Based on your symptoms, they will advise you on how to care for yourself or your loved one. You should definitely reach out to a doctor or visit urgent care if:
- Your fever is over 103°F (39.4°C) or lasts more than three days.
- You’re having trouble breathing, chest pain or severe weakness.
- You notice dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness) or can’t keep fluids down.
- Your symptoms start to improve but then suddenly get worse.
- You have an underlying health condition, are pregnant or take other medications that could interact with ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Remember, it’s always better to ask for help if something doesn’t feel right.
A few safety tips
- Stick to the dosing instructions on the label or as advised by your doctor.
- Avoid long-term use of either medication without medical guidance.
- If you’re not sure whether ibuprofen and acetaminophen are right for you, don’t hesitate to ask a healthcare professional.
Taking care of yourself when you’re sick can feel like a lot, but you’ve got this. These medications can give you the relief you need to rest and heal. And if you ever feel like you need extra support, we are here to help.
Not feeling your best? You might be able to save yourself a trip to the doctor. myTuftsMed lets you chat with a clinician, use our online symptom checker, book appointments, request and refill prescriptions, view and share your records and much more!
