Can You Take Sudafed And Ibuprofen Together?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not Sudafed can be taken with ibuprofen.
I have mild arthritis and will take Advil to help. Can I mix it with Sudafed?
Nov 23, 2022- It is safe to take Sudafed with ibuprofen as there is no drug interaction between them.
- Many over-the-counter products already combine ibuprofen with a nasal decongestant in a single tablet for treating cold and flu symptoms.
Answer
Yes, it is safe to take Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) with Advil (ibuprofen). There is no drug interaction between them.
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is also safe to take with Advil.
Many Products Contain Both Ibuprofen And Nasal Decongestant
You didn't specify in your question if you are referring to Sudafed, which contains pseudoephedrine, or Sudafed PE, which contains phenylephrine.
Both are nasal decongestants, but pseudoephedrine needs to be purchased at the pharmacy counter with ID (due to The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005).
Regardless of which product you are talking about, both are safe to take with ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil).
There are a number of products available over the counter that contain both pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen in a single tablet.
These products include:
- Advil Cold & Sinus
- CVS Cold & Sinus Relief
- Premier Value Ibuprofen and Pseudoephedrine
- Wal-Profen Cold and Sinus
Similarly, phenylephrine can be found with ibuprofen in several products, including:
- Advil Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu
Final Words
If you are suffering from a cold or the flu, experiencing symptoms like nasal congestion and a sinus headache are common.
Combining ibuprofen and a nasal decongestant (like Sudafed) often represents a good therapy choice to help alleviate some of these symptoms and fortunately, there is no drug interaction to be concerned about.
Thanks for your question and reach out anytime!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Pseudoephedrine
- A decongestant medication that reduces nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages.
- Ibuprofen
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.
- Phenylephrine
- A decongestant medication similar to pseudoephedrine that relieves nasal congestion by narrowing blood vessels.
- Nasal decongestants
- Medications that reduce swelling and congestion in the nasal passages to improve breathing.
- Drug interaction
- A situation where two medications affect each other in a way that changes how one or both of them work in the body.
- Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act
- A U.S. law that restricts the sale of pseudoephedrine products by requiring ID and keeping purchase records due to its potential misuse in illegal drug manufacturing.
- Active ingredient
- The chemical compound in a medication that produces the therapeutic effect or healing benefit.
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...
More answers from Brian →