Yes, adults can take Nurofen (ibuprofen) and Panadol (paracetamol) at the same time. For children, it is also generally safe to use both medications together or to alternate them, but it's crucial to follow specific dosage instructions carefully or consult a doctor.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given together but you should stagger the doses. Each one will take 30 minutes to 1 hour to work. Wait 1 hour after the first medicine to see if they need the other. For example if they still have a high fever and are distressed or if they are still in pain.
Either paracetamol or ibuprofen is usually enough to help a child with a fever. However, it is safe to give both at the same time, or to give one and then the other according to the medicine pack's instructions, if needed.
Adults can take ibuprofen at the same time as paracetamol if needed, but it's a good idea to try them on their own first to see if they relieve your pain. Do not take ibuprofen at the same time as other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or aspirin.
If they're still in some pain after giving paracetamol you can alternate between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen. Only give 1 medicine at a time. It may help to keep a diary of the time and dose of each medicine you give. Follow the instructions on the leaflet that comes with each medicine.
The investigators concluded that alternating acetaminophen 12.5 mg/kg with ibuprofen 5 mg/kg every 4 h resulted in fewer antipyretic doses, fewer fever recurrences on days 5 and 10, and less daycare absenteeism than monotherapy with either ibuprofen 5 mg/kg every 8 h or acetaminophen 12.5 mg/kg every 6 h (P < 0.001).
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.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given together, but you can stagger them so that every few hours, if needed, the child can have some medication. For example, you can give paracetamol at 8am, ibuprofen at 11am and paracetamol again at 2pm (i.e. six hours after the first dose of paracetamol).
If you're not sure how much to give a child, ask your pharmacist or doctor. If you give it: 3 times in 24 hours, leave at least 6 hours between doses. 4 times in 24 hours, leave at least 4 hours between doses.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol are equally strong for treatment of pain and fever. Ibuprofen has more anti-inflammatory effect (e.g., reducing redness and swelling). This is why it is often used to treat joint and muscle pain in adults.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be given together but you should stagger them. Each medicine will take between 30 minutes to 1 hour to work. So wait 1 hour after the first medicine and wait to see if they need another medicine.
Medicine to reduce fever (antipyretics)
Children's paracetamol or ibuprofen work as antipyretics, which help to reduce fever, as well as being painkillers. You can't give them both at the same time, but if one doesn't work, you may want to try the other later. Antipyretics aren't always needed.
Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
Call 111 or your GP surgery now if your child:
is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature. is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a high temperature.
What Can I Do About a Fever?
It's also helpful to know that fevers usually spike at night because there is less cortisol in the blood which means the white blood cells are on “high alert” and detect infection more easily.
The strength and dosage for your child depends on their age (and sometimes weight), so always read the instructions carefully. Your child should start to feel better about 20 to 30 minutes after taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen (eye-byoo-PRO-fen) is a medicine you can buy without a prescription (“over-the-counter”) to relieve fever and pain. When used correctly, it's a safe drug for many symptoms. But too high a dose can make a child very sick. Getting too much can lead to stomach problems, confusion, and possible kidney problems.
If you get the green light, pick something you child likes – juice or ice cream or cold yogurt or honey or chocolate spread or fruit puree all work well because sweet or cold foods are good at masking other flavours – and put a small amount (1 to 2 teaspoons) of it in a cup or dish, then stir in the correct dose of ...
“The fever will usually follow the natural course of the infection which is typically one to four days. After that, it's time to call your pediatrician.”
However, one study of 13 weeks found use of combined paracetamol/ibuprofen may increase the risk of bleeding over and above that associated with the individual drugs, suggesting caution should apply to long-term use.
It's safe to take paracetamol with other types of painkiller that do not contain paracetamol, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or codeine. Do not take paracetamol alongside other medicines that contain paracetamol.
The 3-3-3 rule for ibuprofen is a temporary toothache relief method: take 3 tablets (200mg each, so 600mg total) 3 times a day, for a maximum of 3 days, to manage inflammation and pain before seeing a dentist, but always consult a healthcare professional first as it's a short-term fix, not a cure, and not suitable for everyone.
Mixing Painkillers
Ibuprofen and naproxen along with aspirin are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Because these medicines work in similar ways, they should never be combined or used in larger doses or more frequently than directed.
You can use both ibuprofen and Tylenol (acetaminophen) for fever control. You can alternate them, so that you can take one or the other every 2-3 hours if your fever is still up. For instance, if you take 2 Tylenol at 10am and still have a fever at noon, you can take Ibuprofen.