Exact Answer: After 5-6 hours
Aches and pains which hit us almost every day are relieved by Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. They are useful for mild to moderated conditions and can get rid of pains like toothaches, cramps, throat pain, and few other acute pains. These pain relievers come in two types, Acetaminophen, and other NSAIDs. Both try to reduce fever and pain to a great extent.
Summary
They come in various forms like liquids, tablets, and so on. The most common medicines which people use today are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Naproxen. But it is important to consider the dose and frequency to avoid serious complications. For older people, Tylenol is the safest and effective medicine even for daily use.
How Long After Tylenol Can I Take Naproxen?
Medicines are effective when you take only one type of medication at a time to get relief. Before taking Naproxen, see the results and working of Tylenol. Naproxen is believed to be more powerful than Tylenol, as you could take the next dose of Tylenol every 4 – 6 hours whereas the next dose of Naproxen should be taken only after 8 -12 hours, though it varies depending on the dose and types.
If you have consumed Tylenol, you could have Naproxen tablet after 5 to 6 hours, though it varies depending on the age and dosage. Medicines or tablets which are marked as “extra-strength” should not be taken frequently. This pain reliever works in a different way to reduce the pain.
Naproxen works by blocking the substances which leads to inflammation and this helps to reduce the pain as no new substance will be formed. On the other hand, Tylenol does not only diminish the inflammation but blocks the substance in the brain, which makes it get relief from the sensation of pain.
Naproxen should not be mixed with acetaminophen or with other NSAIDs. Sometimes, it is still considered effective to mix it with paracetamol, but it should not be done often. Doctors often suggest Tylenol over Naproxen if the symptoms are of cold and throat problems and Naproxen are often used for body pains.
Overdosage of acetaminophen would lead to liver damage. You can have a maximum of 3 grams of the tablet which is equivalent to 5 tablets of Tylenol. Tylenol should be avoided if you are a regular consumer of alcohol or if you are suffering from liver problems. Naproxen would be effective than Tylenol as they try to reduce both inflammation and pain. But it may lead to side effects like irritation in the stomach.
In summary,
| Age of People | Time for next medication |
| Below 12 | Should not be given |
| 12-18 years | After 8-12 hours |
| 18-45 years | After 6 hours |
| Above 45 years | Can be combined |
Why Do I Have To Wait That Long To Have Naproxen after Tylenol?
Both Tylenol and Naproxen works in their way to control the pain and have common side effects. For adults of around 45 years old and above, there would be no reactions if consumed together. It is important to understand the work of each drug, which would be helpful when different pain arises.
If a person is comfortable with both the medication, it will be more effective to consume the second one after few hours of the first medicine if the still pain persists. Always have the medicine that is relevant to pain. When the pain is uncontrollable, you can combine aspirin and naproxen. But try to avoid it within 8 hours of each other.
It is suggested to avoid both the drugs together, as the combined drug would wear off sooner than expected before the next dose. There are numerous ways to consume both the medicines alternatively. If you have been taking multiple drugs at a time, it leads to an overdose. The most common problem like liver damage arises when the drug crosses the limit. Try to consult a doctor before choosing the right medication, as it can be harmful if medications are not taken as directed.
In rare cases, it tends to cause allergy, and sometimes bleeding in the stomach. Initially, you will be advised to take a small dose of medicines as this does not cause any side effects. If the pain continues, increase the dosage gradually or prefer other medications. These drugs can be given to children above 12 years old. Few medications relieve pain but do reduce the inflammation.
Conclusion
Though both acetaminophen and naproxen are safe for most people, it is important to understand the use and effect of each medication. This would help to make proper use of these drugs at right time with proper dosage. These can be taken daily but not for more than 10 days to get rid of pain, if pain persists, consulting a doctor for other treatments would be the right choice.
In case of fever, medications should not be taken for more than 3 days. Taking drugs for more than 10 days would increase the side effects. Few people take both the drugs together for a short period of time to be in a safe zone and to get recover sooner.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002962916304943
- https://asbmr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jbmr.5650110106
- https://rehabdeb.com/category/research-citations/anti-inflammatories-nsaids/
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