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 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 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.
Ibuprofen and paracetamol can be safely taken together, though this combination is not recommended for long-term use in chronic pain. This particular combination is sometimes used as an alternative to opioid-based painkillers, such as codeine, for the management of short-term moderate pain.
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. Only give 1 medicine at a time.
Giving paracetamol with other painkillers
However, do not give paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. You need to give these medicines 1 at a time (unless your child's doctor or nurse gives you different instructions).
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).
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.
An easy pill to swallow for the one in three who don't know the difference anyway, but ibuprofen's anti-inflammatory firepower blows paracetamol out of the pharmacy. Just use the lowest effective dose, and use sparingly.
You can take two tablets every four hours, but do not take more than eight tablets in 24 hours.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Many people confuse acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen. This is because they can treat many of the same symptoms. But there are key differences, especially when it comes to how they affect the liver and kidneys. Acetaminophen is harder on the liver than ibuprofen.
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.
Abuse of paracetamol can cause damage on your liver, while abuse of ibuprofen can cause damage to your stomach or liver. It's safer to take paracetamol if you are pregnant than ibuprofen. (In the case of the latter, you should consult your doctor first, but completely avoid it in your 3rd trimester)
Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than other pain relievers. It doesn't cause side effects such as stomach pain and bleeding.
Paracetamol (brand name: Dymadon, Febridol, Panadol, Panamax, Paralgin, Panadol Osteo) is a common pain killer (analgesic). It can also lower raised body temperature (fever). It is used for relief of fever, headaches, the pain of arthritis and other minor aches and pains, including pain from colds, flu and period pain.
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.
5. Can I take painkillers on an empty stomach? Ibuprofen, aspirin and other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can irritate the stomach lining, so it is best to take them with food, or a glass of milk.
The current recommendations for ibuprofen are to limit daily use to no more than 30 days. Dosing can range from 400 mg to 800 mg up to 4 times a day, with a daily maximum of 3200 mg per day. Above this limit, the negative effects of COX inhibition begin to outweigh the desired benefits of decreased discomfort and pain.
Patients are often instructed not to take ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before or after surgery because of increased bleeding risk.