Your doctor or pharmacist may advise that you take ibuprofen with paracetamol for additional pain relief. Paracetamol is not an NSAID and works differently to ibuprofen. If you take ibuprofen and paracetamol together, remember not to exceed the recommended daily doses for each pain reliever.
It's great that people are wary and questioning when it comes to drugs because certain drug interactions can be harmful. The short answer to this question is 'Yes' for adults. It is generally safe for adults to take both paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time.
Taking paracetamol with other painkillers
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.
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).
Therapeutic rationale for the combination
Current evidence suggests that for some types of pain, combining paracetamol with an NSAID may offer better analgesia than either drug alone. NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, have analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions.
If you've given your child paracetamol and they're still in pain after 1 hour, you could try giving ibuprofen. If they are still in some pain after giving ibuprofen you can alternate between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen.
The recommended dose (12 years and over)a is 1–2 tablets every 6 hours as required, to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours. This translates to a maximum total dose of 4000 mg of paracetamol and 1200 mg of ibuprofen per day.
Ibuprofen has many different brand names, one of which is Nurofen. You can get ibuprofen in many formats, and can find products containing ibuprofen sold in supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores. You'll also find ibuprofen formulations designed for both adults and children.
Because ibuprofen has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it is more effective than paracetamol at controlling certain types of pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, period pain, and muscular injuries.
You should start to feel better 20 to 30 minutes after taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid. For some types of long-term pain, you'll need to take ibuprofen regularly for up to 3 weeks for it to work properly. If you're applying ibuprofen to your skin, it should start to work within 1 to 2 days.
Nurofen products contain ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever that provides pain relief and reduces inflammation and fever.
It is fine to take Panadol extra in combination with ibuprofen or aspirin. However, don't take it with co-codamol, co-dydramol or Tramacet because these contain paracetamol.
You can take paracetamol with NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, or with another painkiller called codeine. However, be careful if you're taking medicines for migraines, coughs, colds and flu, or compound painkillers, because these drugs often already contain paracetamol.
The main difference between the two medications is that ibuprofen reduces inflammation, whereas paracetamol does not. According to Hamish, there's no advantage in taking ibuprofen or paracetamol brands such as Nurofen or Panadol over the cheaper chemist or supermarket versions.
Indeed, most packets of Nurofen and ibuprofen tablets contain the exact same dose of the same active chemical, so are virtually the same product but at a hefty price difference. Both products are effective anti-inflammatory agents, offer relief for mild to moderate pain and are antipyretic (fever reducing).
Stronger anti-inflammatories – e.g. Diclofenac (Voltaren Rapid) - While the strongest Diclofenac tablets are only available on prescription – your pharmacist can sell you the Voltaren Rapid 25mg if it is appropriate for your needs. You can purchase Voltaren Rapid 12.5mg tablets from your pharmacy.
Interactions between your drugs
No interactions were found between ibuprofen and Panadol Osteo.
Fast facts about Nurofen and food
Nurofen can be taken on an empty stomach with water. Taking Nurofen with food delays its onset of action. Most people won't get an upset stomach if they take Nurofen as directed on the pack and for not more than 3 days.
Ibuprofen is used in a very similar way to paracetamol; it treats pain but can also be used to treat fever. The main difference is that ibuprofen reduces inflammation. Ibuprofen is a type of drug called a non-steroidal anti inflammatory (NSAID). This means that ibuprofen will reduce inflammation.
The primary difference is that ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meaning that it treats inflammation. Paracetamol does not. For example, paracetamol can be taken to treat the pain of arthritis, but it will not treat the inflammation which is causing the pain.
Ibuprofen, the main ingredient in Nurofen, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), sometimes called an anti-inflammatory. It helps relieve pain by blocking chemicals called prostaglandins, which are involved in inflammation and pain signalling throughout the body.
Ibuprofen vs paracetamol: What to take when
In many cases, paracetamol and ibuprofen can be used interchangeably. Although it's still not known exactly how paracetamol works, it's considered safer than ibuprofen for most individuals, according to Peterson. It also costs less.