My brother-in-law recently asked me if he could take Aleve (naproxen) and Motrin (ibuprofen, Advil) together. Apparently, he pulled a muscle while trying to relive the glory days of his college football playing. Show
When talking about painkillers, it’s important to understand the difference among products. There are four main types of oral analgesics that are available without a prescription: naproxen (brand name Aleve), ibuprofen (brand names Advil and Motrin), aspirin, and acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol). Naproxen and ibuprofen work in the body the same and have the same side effects. Ibuprofen is typically taken every 6-8 hours; naproxen is taken every 12 hours. Aspirin works a little differently than ibuprofen and naproxen but has very similar side effects. The usual dose of aspirin is 500-1,000 mg every 4-6 hours. Acetaminophen works a little differently than naproxen and ibuprofen, has different side effects, and can be taken every 6-8 hours. So, to answer my brother-in-law’s question… He could take his naproxen (Aleve) eight hours after taking ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or he could take ibuprofen 12 hours after taking naproxen. However, if he was not getting adequate pain relief from ibuprofen within the eight-hour period, he could take acetaminophen (Tylenol). I advised him to stay within the recommended dosage for both medicines. The bottom line for weekend warriors is that you cannot combine ibuprofen and naproxen unless it is time for another dose of either medication. If you need additional pain relief, you can combine aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen with acetaminophen. However, do not take aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen within 8-12 hours of each other. Also, watch out for pain medications that might be included in combination products such as those used for cough and cold. It is important to note that my brother-in-law is healthy and has no other medical problems. If you have other medical conditions, please consult your pharmacist to find out which pain medications are safe for you. Content
Have you considered clinical trials? Access the latest treatments and medications. unavailable elsewhere - entirely free of charge. We make it easy to take part. What is Excedrin Migraine?Excedrin Migraine is an over-the-counter drug prescribed to ease pain caused by migraine headaches. Excedrin Migraine is a combination drug composed of three substances: acetaminophen (Panadol, Tylenol), aspirin, and caffeine. Each Excedrin Migraine caplet contains the following ingredients¹:
Acetaminophen helps by easing pain. Aspirin works by reducing the chemicals responsible for pain and inflammation. Caffeine makes acetaminophen and aspirin more effective at relieving pain. Caffeine also helps by narrowing your blood vessels and restricting blood flow. This helps ease the pain because blood vessels become enlarged during a migraine. What is Excedrin Migraine used to treat?Doctors prescribe and recommend Excedrin Migraine to ease the pain experienced with a migraine. Although it contains the same substances as Excedrin Extra Strength, Excedrin Migraine has different labeling and recommended dosages. Excedrin Migraine should be taken in lower quantities than Excedrin Extra Strength to avoid medication overuse headaches. How do you take Excedrin Migraine?Excedrin migraine is available as a caplet to be taken orally. Take Excedrin Migraine when you first start experiencing pain symptoms. The typical dosage for adults is two caplets within 24 hours. Take the medication with a full glass of water and don’t lie down for ten minutes. Excedrin Migraine for childrenExcedrin migraine is not recommended for children aged 12 years and below. Excedrin Migraine contains aspirin and is linked to Reye’s syndrome². Reye’s syndrome is a disorder that commonly affects children. Consult your doctor before giving Excedrin migraine to children over the age of 12 years. Seeing resultsExcedrin Migraine can relieve symptoms in 30 minutes³. Most people experience significant relief and alleviation of migraine symptoms in the first few hours. You may be pain-free within a few hours of taking Excedrin Migraine. Pain relief usually lasts up to six hours. Potential side effects of Excedrin MigraineCommon side effects of Excedrin Migraine include:
Severe side effects of Excedrin Migraine may include:
Long-term use of Excedrin MigraineHeadaches may worsen if you take Excedrin Migraine for more than ten days in a month⁴. Talk to your doctor first if you think you need to take Excedrin Migraine on a long-term basis. Missed dosesIf you take scheduled doses of Excedrin Migraine and miss one, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose. Then continue with your regular schedule. OverdosesYou might experience the following symptoms if you overdose on Excedrin Migraine:
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Excedrin Migraine, seek emergency medical help immediately. An overdose of acetaminophen or NSAIDs can cause serious liver and kidney damage, heart problems, and bleeding. What to discuss with your doctor before taking Excedrin MigraineBefore taking Excedrin Migraine, tell your doctor if:
Ensure you understand how to take Excedrin Migraine before starting your medication. If you have any questions about the drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Stopping Excedrin MigraineYou might experience symptoms of a rebound headache if you suddenly stop taking this drug when you are overusing it. You may be overusing this medication if you take it more than ten days per month. Besides pain, rebound headache symptoms include:
You may notice your headache pain is dull but long-lasting, worse when you wake up, and returns when your medication wears off. Talk to your doctor before stopping this medication. Your doctor can give you advice on how to stop taking Excedrin Migraine safely. Excedrin Migraine and pregnancyNever take Excedrin Migraine during the last three months of your pregnancy. At this stage, aspirin is considered a pregnancy category D drug if taken in full doses in the third trimester. Taking the drug at this stage could harm your baby and cause congenital disabilities. It can also cause problems for mothers planning a normal delivery. If you are planning to become pregnant or in the early stages of pregnancy, you must consult your doctor before taking this medication. If you are already breastfeeding, ask your doctor if it is safe to take this medicine while breastfeeding your baby. Acetaminophen may be safe to use while breastfeeding, but aspirin is not. Aspirin can pass into breast milk, and it could cause rashes, bleeding, and other problems for your baby. Interactions with other drugsSome drugs interact with Excedrin Migraine, including: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Taking NSAIDs with Excedrin Migraine may increase your risk of side effects. NSAIDs that interact with Excedrin Migraine include:
Blood thinnersTaking blood thinners with Excedrin Migraine may increase your risk of bleeding. Blood thinners that interact with Excedrin Migraine include:
Live vaccinesSome live vaccines interact with Excedrin Migraine, including:
Anti-platelet drugsTaking anti-platelet drugs with Excedrin Migraine may cause bleeding. Anti-platelet drugs that interact with Excedrin Migraine include:
Anti-seizure drugsAnti-seizure drugs can interact with Excedrin Migraine, including:
Gout medicationsGout medications like probenecid (Probalan) could interact with Excedrin Migraine. Other interactions
Allergy informationIt is rare to experience a severe allergic reaction when taking Excedrin Migraine, but it is possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:
Seek emergency medical help immediately if you develop any of these symptoms. Clinical trial history⁵Research published in 1998 cited three double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials that established the efficiency of combined acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. According to the three studies, people taking this drug combination experienced improved symptoms compared to those taking placebo. Participants noted improved symptoms within half an hour after taking the drug combination. They were able to perform their usual daily activities an hour after taking it. The drug combination also reduced symptoms associated with migraines, such as nausea, photophobia (light sensitivity), and phonophobia (sound sensitivity). The trials did not reveal any significant safety concerns. There were no serious adverse effects. Tips and advice for taking Excedrin MigraineHere are some of the essential tips you need to follow when taking Excedrin Migraine:
Can I take migraine medicine after taking Aleve?Do not take naproxen and sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including: sumatriptan tablets, injection, or nasal spray; almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan; or.
How long after taking naproxen can I take Excedrin?If you need additional pain relief, you can combine aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen with acetaminophen. However, do not take aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen within 8-12 hours of each other. Also, watch out for pain medications that might be included in combination products such as those used for cough and cold.
How many hours in between can you take Excedrin Migraine?Adults and children over 12 years old are able to take 2 tablets every 6 hours, with a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours.
Can I take naproxen and Excedrin in the same day?Taking NSAIDs with Excedrin Migraine may increase your risk of side effects. NSAIDs that interact with Excedrin Migraine include: Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) Naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn)
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