Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) With Ibuprofen Interaction Details
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not there is an interaction between Benadryl and ibuprofen.
Can I take Benadryl after taking ibuprofen?
Oct 18, 2022- There is no known drug interaction between Benadryl and ibuprofen, and they are considered safe to take together.
- Products combining both ibuprofen and diphenhydramine are already available on the market, such as Advil PM, and are used to relieve insomnia associated with minor aches and pains.
- You can take Benadryl and ibuprofen at the same time without needing to wait between doses.
Answer
There is no known drug interaction between Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and ibuprofen. They are considered safe to take together.
In fact, there are a number of products on the market that contain both drugs in combination with one another in a single pill. These products are generally used for the occasional relief of insomnia associated with minor aches and pains.
For example, one such product is Advil PM, which contains:
- Ibuprofen
- Diphenhydramine citrate
Several different generic products also contain both ibuprofen and diphenhydramine (like this one available at Walgreens).
So, to answer your question specifically, you don't need to wait any amount of time after taking ibuprofen to take Benadryl. They can be taken at the same time safely. You can likely save some money by buying a product that contains both drugs versus buying each drug separately.
Final Words
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Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Diphenhydramine
- An antihistamine medication commonly used to reduce allergy symptoms and promote sleepiness.
- Ibuprofen
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.
- Drug interaction
- When two medications affect each other's action in the body or cause unexpected side effects when taken together.
- Insomnia
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Generic products
- Medications that contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs but are typically less expensive.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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