Safety of paracetamol/ibuprofen combinations 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. Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
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).
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.
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.
Giving your child both paracetamol and ibuprofen
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.
Is it safe to give paracetamol and ibuprofen together at the same time? The quick answer is yes, you can. Paracetamol and ibuprofen do not react with each other to harm your child.
Do not alternate between paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat a high temperature without advice from a doctor or nurse. Do not give more than the maximum daily dose of either medicine.
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).
Giving ibuprofen with other painkillers
Paracetamol for children is a safe painkiller to give children alongside ibuprofen. However, do not give ibuprofen and paracetamol 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).
Leave at least 6 hours between doses. If one tablet does not control symptoms, then a maximum of 2 tablets may be taken up to three times a day. Do not take more than 6 tablets within 24 hours. This is equivalent to 3000 mg paracetamol and 1200 mg ibuprofen a day.
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. Remember that: Paracetamol can be given every 4-6 hours - MAXIMUM FOUR DOSES IN 24 HOURS.