The quick answer is yes, you can. Paracetamol and ibuprofen do not react with each other to harm your child. The potential risk of using them both together is that you will get confused with how much you have given and then give your child too much.
Maxigesic. Maxigesic (AFT Pharmaceuticals) contains a combination of paracetamol 500 mg and ibuprofen 150 mg in a single tablet. The recommended dose in individuals 12 years and over is 1–2 tablets every 6 hours as required, to a maximum of eight tablets in 24 hours.
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
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).
So that your child's pain is well controlled, it is OK to alternate giving paracetamol and ibuprofen, or even to give both at the same time. If you do this, it can be easy to accidentally give too much of either medicine.
Consumers can treat their acute pain (with pharmacist advice) with one tablet of the paracetamol 500 mg with ibuprofen 200 mg product and consume less than half of the active ingredients than the same ingredients used alone.
If you've given your child ibuprofen and they're still in pain 1 hour later, you could try giving paracetamol. If they're still in some pain after giving paracetamol you can alternate between doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen.
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.
adults – can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (200mg) every 4 to 6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 1,200mg (6 x 200mg) tablets in the space of 24 hours. children under 16 – may need to take a lower dose, depending on their age; check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Ibuprofen for adults (Nurofen)
Other brand names: Brufen, Calprofen, Fenbid, Ibugel, Ibuleve. Find out how ibuprofen treats pain and swelling (inflammation), and how to take it.
For severe or acute pain, paracetamol and ibuprofen may be combined, doses of each may be taken together or alternately. To minimise confusion, it is recommended that doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol are taken together.
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.
Do not take more than 6 combined ibuprofen and codeine tablets in 24 hours. It's best to take your tablets with food or a drink of milk. You'll be less likely to get mild indigestion or stomach pain. The most common side effects are indigestion, feeling sleepy and constipation.
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.
Yes. If you are over the age of 16, it is generally considered safe to take medicines containing ibuprofen and Panadol simultaneously, since there's no evidence that the two drugs have any harmful effects when they interact in the body.
Ibuprofen+Paracetamol is used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain in conditions such as toothache, ear pain, joint pain, headache, pain during menses, etc. It is also used in fever.
The most powerful pain relievers are opioids. They are very effective, but they can sometimes have serious side effects. There is also a risk of addiction. Because of the risks, you must use them only under a doctor's supervision.
If you take too much
Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets is unlikely to harm you. Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours. Taking too much paracetamol can be dangerous and you may need treatment. Too much paracetamol can cause liver damage.
Non-narcotic pain meds half-life is only a few hours.
Acetaminophen, which is considered as safe pain medication for pregnancy, stays in the system for 2-3 hours, ibuprofen – for 1,5-2 hours, aspiring – for nearly 3 hours.
Unless a doctor instructs otherwise, a person should not take ibuprofen for longer than 10 days in a row.
Specifically, drugs that slow down breathing rate, such as opioids, alcohol, antihistamines, CNS depressants, or general anesthetics, should not be taken together because these combinations increase the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression.
It's an effective treatment for pain and fever and, at the recommended dose, is generally safe for healthy people. However, repeatedly taking more than the recommended dose or overdosing on paracetamol can cause serious injury to the liver and even death.
Paracetamol can be given every 4-6 hours - MAXIMUM FOUR DOSES IN 24 HOURS. Ibuprofen can be given every 6-8 hours - MAXIMUM THREE DOSES IN 24 HOURS.