Can you rotate Tylenol and Motrin every 2 hours?
Daniel Johnson
Updated on May 23, 2026
For example, if you give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) at noon, you can give him ibuprofen (Motrin) at 3 p.m. and then acetaminophen (Tylenol) again at 6 p.m. and ibuprofen (Motrin) again at 9 p.m. Neither medicine should be used for more than 24 hours without consulting a physician.
Can I alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 2 hours?
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are over-the-counter pain relievers that work differently. It's generally safe to combine them as follows: Take ibuprofen and Tylenol together every 4 to 6 hours. Take ibuprofen and Tylenol alternating every 2 to 3 hours depending on the dose.
How long do you have to wait between rotating Tylenol and Motrin?
For high and difficult to treat fevers, we recommend parents to alternate between Tylenol and Motrin every 3 hours.
Can you alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen every 2 hours for fever?
If one medication does not seem to work sufficiently to reduce fever or pain in children age 12 and under, the key is to alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen: administer one medication at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m., and the other at 12 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.
Can I take Tylenol and ibuprofen 2 hours apart?
Yes, you can safely take acetaminophen and ibuprofen together. This may surprise you, though: Taking these two medications together works better to relieve pain than taking them separately.
43 related questions foundHow do adults rotate Tylenol and ibuprofen?
Some people experience some stomach or abdominal pain when taking the two medications together. In this case, it's better to alternate when you take each medication. For example, you could take ibuprofen first, followed by acetaminophen four hours later, and then repeat this process as needed.
How often can you take Tylenol and ibuprofen together?
“The usual safe doses for ibuprofen is up to [a maximum of] 800 mg per dose every eight hours and acetaminophen 650 mg every six hours if taken together, assuming normal kidney and liver functions,” according to Dr. Massachi. The standard dosage for over-the-counter ibuprofen is 200-400 mg every six hours.
What is a low-grade fever?
Most healthcare providers consider a fever to be 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. A person with a temperature of 99.6°F to 100.3°F has a low-grade fever. High fevers may bring on seizures or confusion in children. It's not how high the temperature is but how fast the temperature goes up that causes a seizure.
How high is too high fever?
A fever is one way your body naturally fights against infections. High fevers are 103 degrees or above. A potentially dangerous fever begins when your temperature is at least 104 degrees. If you have a fever that is 105 degrees or higher, you need immediate medical attention.
What should I do if I have a 101 fever?
Most fevers don't require medical attention. However, any of these symptoms in children or adults, along with a fever, means it's time to see a doctor. Download the new Nebraska Medicine mobile app to make an appointment, or call 800.922. 000.
How often can you alternate Tylenol and Motrin for 1 year old?
Alternating each medicine every three hours essentially means you're giving both drugs at the same time, since Infant Tylenol is supposed to be given every four hours while Infant Motrin (or Infant Advil) is supposed to be given every six to eight hours. Over at Babycenter, pediatrician Dr.
Should you alternate Tylenol and Motrin fever?
There is no need to alternate the two medications for fever. Keep it simple and use which ever medication seems to work better. Consult your primary care or urgent care provider to learn the safest and most effective doses to meet your child's needs.
Can you give Motrin and Tylenol together?
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.
How often can you alternate Tylenol and Motrin for pain?
In studies of antipyretic effects, acetaminophen has a peak effect at approximately 2 hours and ibuprofen at 3 hours. The recommended dosing intervals are every 6 and every 8 hours for acetaminophen and ibuprofen respectively10; thus, theoretically they might be alternated every 3 hours.
How do you bring a child's fever down?
Other ways to reduce a fever:
- Dress your child lightly. Excess clothing will trap body heat and cause the temperature to rise.
- Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids, such as water, juices, or popsicles.
- Give your child a lukewarm bath. Do not allow your child to shiver from cold water. ...
- Don't use alcohol baths.
When is a fever too high for a child?
If his or her temperature is above 100.4 degrees, it is time to call us. For children ages three months to three years, call us if there is a fever of 102 degrees or higher. For all kids three years and older, a fever of 103 degrees or higher means it is time to call Pediatrics East.
Why do fevers come at night?
At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.
Can a fever come back with Covid?
Yes. During the recovery process, people with COVID-19 might experience recurring symptoms alternating with periods of feeling better. Varying degrees of fever, fatigue and breathing problems can occur, on and off, for days or even weeks.
At what fever should I go to the hospital?
If the adult's fever rises above 103°F, they should seek emergency care. If the adult's fever is accompanied by nausea, confusion or a rash, they should seek emergency care as these symptoms may be caused by meningitis.
Why do I feel feverish but no temperature?
There are many reasons why someone might feel hot but have no fever. Environmental and lifestyle factors, medications, age, hormones, and emotional state all have an impact. In some cases, feeling continuously hot may signal an underlying health condition.
What temperature is considered a fever in COVID-19?
For that reason, it's a common symptom of COVID-19, which typically gets reported by those who have it. However, not everyone who gets COVID-19 will develop a fever. According to the CDC , you have a fever if your temperature is 100.4°F (38°C) or greater, no matter what the cause.
Is taking your temp under your arm accurate?
Underarm (axillary) and forehead temperatures are considered to be the least accurate because they're taken outside of the body rather than inside. These temperatures can be as much as a full degree lower than oral body temperature.
Can you take Excedrin 2 hours after ibuprofen?
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.
Which is safer Tylenol or ibuprofen?
They provide similar effects but are two different medications with two different ingredients. Advil can be harder on the stomach and kidneys, while Tylenol is harder on the liver. Overall, Advil and Tylenol are safe for most people when used correctly.
What happens if Tylenol doesn't break a fever?
Call the doctor if the fever doesn't respond to the medication or lasts longer than three days. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Medication isn't needed. Call the doctor if the fever is accompanied by a severe headache, stiff neck, shortness of breath, or other unusual signs or symptoms.