My brother-in-law recently asked me if he could take Aleve (naproxen) and Motrin (ibuprofen, Advil) together. Apparently, he pulled a muscle while trying to relive the glory days of his college football playing.
When talking about painkillers, it’s important to understand the difference among products. There are four main types of oral analgesics that are available without a prescription: naproxen (brand name Aleve), ibuprofen (brand names Advil and Motrin), aspirin, and acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol).
Naproxen and ibuprofen work in the body the same and have the same side effects. Ibuprofen is typically taken every 6-8 hours; naproxen is taken every 12 hours. Aspirin works a little differently than ibuprofen and naproxen but has very similar side effects. The usual dose of aspirin is 500-1,000 mg every 4-6 hours. Acetaminophen works a little differently than naproxen and ibuprofen, has different side effects, and can be taken every 6-8 hours.
So, to answer my brother-in-law’s question… He could take his naproxen (Aleve) eight hours after taking ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or he could take ibuprofen 12 hours after taking naproxen. However, if he was not getting adequate pain relief from ibuprofen within the eight-hour period, he could take acetaminophen (Tylenol). I advised him to stay within the recommended dosage for both medicines.
The bottom line for weekend warriors is that you cannot combine ibuprofen and naproxen unless it is time for another dose of either medication. If you need additional pain relief, you can combine aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen with acetaminophen. However, do not take aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen within 8-12 hours of each other. Also, watch out for pain medications that might be included in combination products such as those used for cough and cold.
It is important to note that my brother-in-law is healthy and has no other medical problems. If you have other medical conditions, please consult your pharmacist to find out which pain medications are safe for you.
Motrin Product Description
Drug Uses
Motrin belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Motrin provides a combined therapeutic effect including anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
Motrin is used to relieve pain in the back, joints, muscles, headache, toothache and pain due to damage or stretch in the connective tissues. In addition, Motrin helps to reduce the frequency and duration of symptoms of primary or secondary dysmenorrhea, cold and flu.
Maximum symptomatic responses to Motrin is reached in about 60 minutes after oral administration. For the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain, it is recommended to take a dose of Motrin 300mg or 400mg every 4 hours. To facilitate the acute pain single doses of Motrin 800 mg may be used, but no more than 3200mg of the drug per day.
Missed dose
If you’ve missed an assigned dosage of Motrin, take the NSAID as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for the next dose of Motrin, do not take it at all. Resume the prescribed dosage of Motrin on the next day.
More Information
Motrin prevents the development of the active lipid compound prostaglandin, which is believed to be a major mediator of pain and inflammation. Prostaglandin participates in a wide range of body functions, so the duration of application of Motrin pills should be minimized.
Storage
Analgesic agent Motrin should be stored in a tightly closed container at controlled room temperature up to 25°C.
Motrin Safety Information
Warnings
Dosage requirements in patients with different types of pain and inflammation may vary from day to day, according to the analgesic response, disease exacerbation, physical and emotional stress. Minimum effective doses of Motrin are recommended to patients with a history of edema, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Disclaimer
All information, provided in the review of anti-inflammatory agent Motrin, is intended for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice of the therapist or other medical specialist. The online pharmacy under no circumstances shall be liable for any damage, which may be caused due to improper use of the information on antipyretic agent Motrin.
Motrin Side Effects
Any undesirable effects are reported as rare during application of Motrin pills and normally do not cause harm to the body. From 1% to 3% of patients, taking Motrin, may complain of such undesirable effects as: decreased appetite, water retention, nausea, pyrosis, diarrhea, abdominal distress, dyspepsia, vomiting, headache, nervousness, dizziness, rash, pruritus, tinnitus, or weakness.
A small part of the patients taking Motrin may observe the following undesirable effects: depression, insomnia, confusion, somnolence, urticaria, hair loss, melena, gastritis, hepatitis, lazy eye, blurred vision, neutropaenia or hypothermia.