Generally, it’s safe to take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together for short-term relief of severe symptoms. It’s important to ensure you don’t take more than the recommended daily dose for each.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) are over-the-counter (OTC) medications used to relieve pain and fever.

Acetaminophen, sometimes listed as APAP in the ingredients, is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reliever). Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These drugs may help relieve similar symptoms, but their mechanisms of action are different.

Adults can take ibuprofen and acetaminophen together as long as they stay within the recommended dose for a 24-hour period. However, doctors may not recommend it for pregnant or nursing people.

A few OTC products are available on the market that contain both acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When taking these dual-action medications, it is important to follow the directions included in the label.

Another important consideration is that some people may experience stomach or abdominal pain when taking ibuprofen with acetaminophen. In this case, alternating the medications may help. But if symptoms continue or worsen, you may need to suspend one or both drugs.

The key to safely taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen at the same time is knowing how much you’re taking of each and how often you combine the medications.

If you have any chronic kidney or liver conditions, it’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional before increasing, changing, or mixing your medication.

Acetaminophen dosage

The maximum safe dosage of acetaminophen for most people over the age of 12 years is 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day. But, even this amount may harm your liver if you have a chronic condition. In this case, a doctor may ask you to aim for no more than 3,000 mg per day.

A healthcare professional needs to determine the safest dose for children under 12 years of age based on their body weight and symptoms.

It’s also essential to keep in mind that OTC medications contain acetaminophen in a variety of doses, usually 325 mg, 500 mg, or 650 mg.

Some examples of OTC medications that may contain acetaminophen (or APAP) include:

Ibuprofen dosage

As a general rule, you want to avoid taking more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in a 24-hour period.

For children, it’s best to ask a healthcare professional about the safest dose for their weight and symptoms.

If you have prescription-strength ibuprofen, talk with the prescribing healthcare professional before mixing it with any other medications, including acetaminophen.

At a glance

The recommended limits for adults and children over the age of 12 years are:

  • 3,000 mg per day (24 hours) of acetaminophen
  • 1,200 mg per day (24 hours) of OTC ibuprofen or 3,200 mg per day for prescription-strength

For children under the age of 12 years, a healthcare professional must make the decision based on the needs, age, and weight of the child.

You can combine acetaminophen with other NSAIDs, such as aspirin and naproxen (Aleve). It’s important to follow the same guidelines as if you were taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen together.

However, you should not mix ibuprofen with other NSAIDs. This is because all NSAIDs use the same mechanisms to relieve pain. By doubling up on NSAIDs, you could enhance this effect to the point that it becomes harmful or leads to an overdose.

If you’ve already mixed acetaminophen and ibuprofen but are concerned that you’ve taken too much of either medication, there are a few symptoms you’ll want to watch for.

Any of the following symptoms within hours of taking acetaminophen with ibuprofen are a medical emergency:

  • sudden tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • convulsions (seizures)
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sweating
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea (especially with blood)
  • dizziness
  • blurred vision
  • localized or generalized skin rash

You can take acetaminophen and ibuprofen OTC pain relievers together in some cases, but follow some caution. Avoid taking more than the recommended daily amount of each. Also, check the ingredients of any other OTC and prescription medications you take in case they contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Children under the age of 12 years should not combine these medications unless recommended by a healthcare professional.