Can You Take NyQuil With Advil?
Yes, NyQuil can safely be taken with Advil (ibuprofen). The pharmacist discusses this and more in our latest question and answer.
I am looking for some advice. I was wondering if it was okay to use NyQuil and Advil together? I use NyQuil every once in a while to sleep and Advil I'd say every few days. I just want to make sure they are safe.
May 13, 2022- NyQuil already contains acetaminophen for pain relief, so taking Advil with it is not necessary unless you need stronger pain relief or the anti-inflammatory benefits that ibuprofen provides. There is no drug interaction between NyQuil and Advil, and studies suggest taking them together or rotating them every 2-3 hours may provide better pain relief than either medication alone. Always take Advil with food to protect your stomach.
NyQuil and Advil (ibuprofen) can be safely taken together, but it may not be necessary as NyQuil already contains the pain reliever acetaminophen (which is the active ingredient in Tylenol).
NyQuil contains 3 active ingredients (NyQuil Severe contains 4):
- Acetaminophen (pain reliever/fever reducer)
- Doxylamine (sedating antihistamine)
- Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
- Phenylephrine (nasal) (NyQuil Severe)
If you are looking for pain relief, in addition to helping with sleeping at night, simply taking NyQuil may do the trick for you because of the acetaminophen it contains.
However, Advil (ibuprofen) is a different type of pain reliever than acetaminophen.
It is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), which helps to reduce and relieve inflammation. Acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory properties.
There is no drug interaction between Advil and any of the ingredients in NyQuil.
Taking both together would most likely provide greater pain relief than taking either alone and you will have the benefit of the anti-inflammatory effects from Advil.
In fact, there are several studies that suggest taking acetaminophen (in NyQuil) and Advil (ibuprofen) close to one another, or cycling them every 2-3 hours, provides far better pain relief than either alone.
Be sure to always take Advil with food as it can cause an upset stomach and long-term use increases the risk of stomach ulcers. Taking it every once in a while, on an as-needed basis, is generally considered to be safe.
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Acetaminophen
- A medication that relieves pain and reduces fever but does not reduce inflammation.
- Antihistamine
- A drug that blocks histamine in the body to reduce allergic reactions and can cause drowsiness.
- Doxylamine
- A sedating antihistamine used to help people fall asleep.
- Dextromethorphan
- A medication that suppresses coughing.
- Phenylephrine
- A medication that reduces nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nose.
- NSAID
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; a type of pain reliever that also reduces inflammation and swelling.
- Drug interaction
- A reaction that occurs when two or more medications affect each other's effectiveness or safety.
- Stomach ulcers
- Open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, often caused by long-term use of certain pain relievers.
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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