Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisks of PolypharmacyAbout TylenolAbout MotrinTylenol Plus MotrinCombination Opioids
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risks of Polypharmacy
About Tylenol
About Motrin
Tylenol Plus Motrin
Combination Opioids
Usually, healthcare providers try to limitpolypharmacy, or your exposure to excess or redundant medications. Thus, if you present with a sore throat that needs antibiotics, you’ll receive a prescription for one type of antibiotic, not a prescription for several types of antibiotics.
But does this guidance apply to over-the-counter pain medications, too?
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Polypharmacy is problematic for a number of reasons:
However, there are some exceptions: A healthcare provider may sometimes recommend a combination of both Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen).
Some evidence suggests prolonged use of Tylenol and Motrin together may increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding more than Motrin alone. However, their combined use can sometimes reduce pain enough that you don’t need stronger opioid medications.
Tylenol is a type of analgesic that changes the way we perceive pain and lowers the temperature of our bodies (antipyretic). It is often combined with other medications.
Motrin (ibuprofen) is anNSAID(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Like Tylenol, it exerts its effects on cyclo-oxygenase and inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins mediate pain, inflammation, and fever.
Inhibition in prostaglandin synthesis also results in vasoconstriction and renal impairment which can lead to kidney failure.
As with other NSAIDs, such as aspirin andAleve(naproxen), Motrin may cause stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding if overused.
Combining Tylenol and Motrin
Interestingly, despite being a common practice, very little research has been done on the co-administration ofTylenol and Motrin.
Some of the earliest research was conducted among children. However, it’s hard to draw exact correlations between pain and fever relief in children and that of adults.
Specifically, children who are prescribed both Tylenol and Motrin for pain and fever usually receive these medications as alternate dosages.
Similarly, results from a systematic review published in 2010 suggested that the combination of acetaminophen and an NSAID was more effective together than alone.
Motrin vs. Advil
Opioids With Tylenol or Motrin
Opioid abuse is on the rise, and we are currently in the throes of a national crisis. Opioids are prescription medications that have serious long-term side effects and a high potential for dependence and abuse.
Furthermore, certain opioid formulations contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen, such as:
If these drugs are taken with additional Tylenol or Motrin, they can increase the risk of serious side effects, including:
Types of Opioids Used for Chronic Pain Relief
A Word From Verywell
While acetaminophen and ibuprofen are relatively safe and effective when used together, there are considerations you need to make.
To avoid overuse, always check the label of any multi-symptom cold, flu, or allergy remedy you may be taking. Many of these contain acetaminophen or an NSAID for added pain relief.
It is also important to remember that Tylenol or Motrin are only intended for short-term use. If your pain persists, call your healthcare provider. If you have liver or kidney problems, you should talk to your healthcare provider first before taking Tylenol or Motrin.
Why Two NSAIDS Are Not Better Than One
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Aging.The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults.Food and Drug Administration.Drug Interactions: What You Should Know.Martínez-múgica C.[Potential antimicrobial drug interactions in clinical practice: consequences of polypharmacy and multidrug resistance].Rev Esp Quimioter. 2015;28(6):282-8.Ong, C.; Seymour, R.; Lirk, P. et al.Combining paracetamol (acetaminophen) with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: a qualitative systematic review of analgesic efficacy for acute postoperative pain.Anesth Analg.2010;110(4):1170-9. doi:10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181cf9281Hinz B, Cheremina O, Brune K.Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in man.FASEB J. 2008;22(2):383-90. doi:10.1096/fj.07-8506comLi Y, Xia W, Zhao F, et al.Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.Oncotarget. 2018;9(41):26586-26602. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25005Goldstein JL, Cryer B.Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies.Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2015;7:31-41. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S71976Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: a randomized controlled trial.Br J Anaesth. 2010;104(1):80-8. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources.HealthLink, Government of Alberta.Substance Use: Common Drugs.Additional ReadingMerry AF et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2010. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Aging.The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults.Food and Drug Administration.Drug Interactions: What You Should Know.Martínez-múgica C.[Potential antimicrobial drug interactions in clinical practice: consequences of polypharmacy and multidrug resistance].Rev Esp Quimioter. 2015;28(6):282-8.Ong, C.; Seymour, R.; Lirk, P. et al.Combining paracetamol (acetaminophen) with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: a qualitative systematic review of analgesic efficacy for acute postoperative pain.Anesth Analg.2010;110(4):1170-9. doi:10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181cf9281Hinz B, Cheremina O, Brune K.Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in man.FASEB J. 2008;22(2):383-90. doi:10.1096/fj.07-8506comLi Y, Xia W, Zhao F, et al.Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.Oncotarget. 2018;9(41):26586-26602. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25005Goldstein JL, Cryer B.Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies.Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2015;7:31-41. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S71976Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: a randomized controlled trial.Br J Anaesth. 2010;104(1):80-8. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources.HealthLink, Government of Alberta.Substance Use: Common Drugs.Additional ReadingMerry AF et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2010. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Aging.The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults.Food and Drug Administration.Drug Interactions: What You Should Know.Martínez-múgica C.[Potential antimicrobial drug interactions in clinical practice: consequences of polypharmacy and multidrug resistance].Rev Esp Quimioter. 2015;28(6):282-8.Ong, C.; Seymour, R.; Lirk, P. et al.Combining paracetamol (acetaminophen) with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: a qualitative systematic review of analgesic efficacy for acute postoperative pain.Anesth Analg.2010;110(4):1170-9. doi:10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181cf9281Hinz B, Cheremina O, Brune K.Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in man.FASEB J. 2008;22(2):383-90. doi:10.1096/fj.07-8506comLi Y, Xia W, Zhao F, et al.Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.Oncotarget. 2018;9(41):26586-26602. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25005Goldstein JL, Cryer B.Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies.Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2015;7:31-41. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S71976Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: a randomized controlled trial.Br J Anaesth. 2010;104(1):80-8. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources.HealthLink, Government of Alberta.Substance Use: Common Drugs.
National Institute on Aging.The dangers of polypharmacy and the case for deprescribing in older adults.
Food and Drug Administration.Drug Interactions: What You Should Know.
Martínez-múgica C.[Potential antimicrobial drug interactions in clinical practice: consequences of polypharmacy and multidrug resistance].Rev Esp Quimioter. 2015;28(6):282-8.
Ong, C.; Seymour, R.; Lirk, P. et al.Combining paracetamol (acetaminophen) with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: a qualitative systematic review of analgesic efficacy for acute postoperative pain.Anesth Analg.2010;110(4):1170-9. doi:10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181cf9281
Hinz B, Cheremina O, Brune K.Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in man.FASEB J. 2008;22(2):383-90. doi:10.1096/fj.07-8506com
Li Y, Xia W, Zhao F, et al.Prostaglandins in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases.Oncotarget. 2018;9(41):26586-26602. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25005
Goldstein JL, Cryer B.Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies.Drug Healthc Patient Saf. 2015;7:31-41. doi:10.2147/DHPS.S71976
Merry AF, Gibbs RD, Edwards J, et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: a randomized controlled trial.Br J Anaesth. 2010;104(1):80-8. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources.
HealthLink, Government of Alberta.Substance Use: Common Drugs.
Merry AF et al.Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: A randomized controlled trial.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2010. doi:10.1093/bja/aep338
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