Can you take Tylenol and Motrin together?

Learn how—and when—to combine these two popular painkillers

By Alex Halperin | Sep. 25, 2023 Medically reviewed by Leslie Greenberg, MD

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) are some of the most commonly used over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in American. These versatile medications are used for everything from treating cold and flu symptoms to reducing fevers and relieving pain.

The two drugs have different mechanisms of action and different ways they are metabolized by the body, so you can take them concurrently (under a healthcare provider’s supervision). When alternating Tylenol and Motrin, they can decrease more severe pain, such as those associated with toothaches, migraine headaches, certain surgery recoveries, sinus pain, and back pain.

Considering that Tylenol and Motrin are both readily available over the counter, the ability to take both together makes them a convenient—and often more affordable—treatment than prescription pain relievers. But before you head to the drug store, here’s what you need to know about combining these two medications.

Can you take Motrin and Tylenol together?

“Taking Motrin (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen) together can be safe and effective for pain relief when done correctly,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple board-certified doctor and an assistant program director of Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Southern California. That’s because the two drugs work differently, he says.

Acetaminophen (most commonly sold under the brand name Tylenol) works by affecting the brain’s perception of temperature and pain, while ibuprofen (most commonly sold under the brand names Motrin and Advil) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces inflammation and fever by inhibiting enzymes.

Multiple studies, including a 2010 study focused on pain treatment after oral surgery, found the alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen to be successful. According to a 2019 report published in the Journal of Pain Research, the combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen provides similar efficacy to the combination of certain low-dose opioids with acetaminophen and can reduce the need for or reliance on opioids for severe pain. This can make the Tylenol and Motrin combination a pretty compelling option for anyone looking to reduce their exposure to opioids—especially those at high risk for substance use disorder.

Things are a little less definitive when talking about children. While there has been some research combining acetaminophen and ibuprofen for treating pain in kids, it hasn’t been as thoroughly studied as it has in adults. To be safe, caregivers should consult a pediatrician before administering combined medications for children. Tylenol is dosed by weight and has no age restrictions. Motrin is also dosed by weight, but not given to children under 6 months of age.

All that said, while it’s possible to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen concurrently, Dr. Dasgupta notes it’s important to follow proper dosing and consult a healthcare provider to make sure the combination of the two analgesics is compatible with your medical conditions and any other medications you may be taking.

It’s possible that a provider would prescribe Maxigesic, a recently approved medication that contains both ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Dr. Dasgupta says the benefit of which is it “allows an individual to take a lower maximum daily dose of each medication,” which reduces the main side effects of each: gastrointestinal and kidney irritation for ibuprofen and liver inflammation for acetaminophen.

When to take Tylenol and Motrin together

Just because it’s safe to take Tylenol and Motrin together doesn’t mean you should default to the combination every time you experience pain.

“Taking Tylenol and Motrin together is primarily done to manage a more moderate to severe pain level,” says Ailey Pestcoe, Pharm.D., a clinical quality assurance staff pharmacist at Aspen RxHealth, adding that patients may find the relief offered by the two medications to be comparable to the opioid Vicodin (hydrocodone-acetaminophen). For more mild pain relief, either drug may be used independently.

While both Tylenol and Motrin can be used as a fever reducer, Tylenol may be preferable because it typically works faster, taking effect within 30 minutes, Dr. Pestcoe says. By contrast, Motrin achieves its maximum fever-reducing effects in two to four hours and can last up to six hours.

The main side effects also differ between the two: gastrointestinal and kidney irritation for ibuprofen, and liver inflation for acetaminophen they include liver inflation. So the choice of which to use may depend on whether a patient has concerns about those organs.

Ultimately, if you’re going to take only one, the choice depends on personal health considerations—like those side effects—and it’s important to follow recommended dosages and guidelines from a healthcare provider when using either medication.

How to alternate Tylenol and Motrin

If you’re going to treat a condition with both Tylenol and Motrin, you should alternate the medications rather than taking them at exactly the same times. The recommendations vary based on age, but Dr. Pestcoe says the general rule is to separate the medications by four to six hours. Tylenol is usually dosed on a four- to six-hour schedule, while Motrin is typically every six to eight hours.

In an individual with no liver issues, a standard dose of acetaminophen is 325 to 625 mg every four to six hours as needed (or 1000 mg every 6 hours) and not to exceed 4,000 mg in a 24-hour period. Assuming the individual has no gastrointestinal issues and normal kidney function, a standard dose of ibuprofen is 200 to 400 mg every four to six hours as needed and not to exceed 2,400 mg in 24 hours.

“Alternating Tylenol and Motrin can generally be staggered by about two to three hours,” Dr. Dasgupta says, cautioning that this is a “very general guideline” and should first be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Bottom line: Check with your healthcare provider for safe dosing

Alternating ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be a safe and effective pain and fever reliever. Because the medications have distinct side effects, though, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider and ensure you’re approaching your treatment safely.

In most cases, Tylenol and Motrin should be alternated every two to three hours, making sure to take the correct doses and not to exceed the maximum safe dose of either within 24 hours. Before taking Tylenol or Motrin (together or separately), you should double-check that you’re not already taking other medications containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen (such as cold and flu medicine). Follow the proper label instructions for each.