Exact Answer: 3 to 4 hours
Tylenol is a brand name for Paracetamol which is acetaminophen, an analgesic, and antipyretic which helps reduce fever and pain. It may help in the treatment of pharyngitis, acute sinusitis, ulcerative colitis, Lyme disease, etc.
Motrin is the brand name for ibuprofen which helps to treat inflammation, pain, and fever. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) It is sometimes used to treat dental pain caused due to surgery or otherwise, headache, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, and pains, and even arthritis. It can be used and is mostly used to treat fever and to relieve the discomfort caused due to the common cold.
How Long After Tylenol Can You Take Motrin?
Tylenol and Motrin have almost the same function but have different ways of working. Tylenol and Motrin can be taken in alternation every 3 to 4 hours. An example of this would be, if you take Tylenol at 1:00 pm, you can take Motrin at 4:00 pm, and then Tylenol again at 7:00 pm. This works best if you intend to alternate the medications and make use of both these medications.
There is also another method, which a study was conducted recently. In this method, you take both, Motrin and Tylenol together and wait for 6 to 8 hours to take the next dose. It is effective. This should be done in consultation with a medical practitioner or doctor, to be clear of any issues that can arise due to the unconventional approach of this method.
Tylenol and Motrin, both need to be taken keeping body weight, body type, age, other medical and personal conditions in mind. The same dosage prescribed to a friend for the same problem, may not be effective for you and can, at times, even harm you. Since these medications are over-the-counter drugs, it very important that they are taken keeping in mind all the instructions and safety guidelines mentioned on the packing. If there is any doubt about the dosage, you must contact the pharmacist or a medical professional.
| The time interval between doses | Name of Medication |
| 3 – 4 hours | Alternate between Tylenol and Motrin |
| 6 – 8 hours | Tylenol and Motrin are taken together |
Why Can You Take Motrin That Long After Tylenol?
These medications have an adult dosage of Tylenol (acetaminophen) of two 500mg tablets every 6 hours, which makes that a daily dose of 8 tablets a day totaling 4000mg in 24 hours. These medications tend to put stress on different parts of the body including the liver and kidneys, which is why limited use of these medications is advised.
These medications should not be taken for more than 3 days without medical supervision or consultation. Overall, these medications should not be had for more than 10 days, continuously. The working of these medications can depend on the consumption of food or beverages before or after taking the medication. It is very important to note whether the medication has to be taken before or after meals and what should be avoided while on this medication.
Tylenol and Motrin are available in many forms including oral tablets, chewable tablets, and even liquid forms. It is best to start the use or consumption of this medication as soon as signs start to appear, delay in taking the medication may render the medicine inefficient. In the case of suspensions, shake well before consumption of each dose. Measure the liquid only with the given measure or a stand medical measure. Household measures like spoons, etc differ greatly from the medical measure at times.
In the case of chewable tablets, make sure the tablet is well chewed before you can swallow it. For rapidly-dissolving tablets, allow the medication to dissolve on the tongue or chew it. This can be followed by water or simply be swallowing the substance.
Conclusion
Tylenol and Motrin can be taken alternately every 3 to 4 hours. They can be taken singly every 3 to 4 hours also. If taken together, a minimum of 6 hours should be maintained before you can take the next dose. When mixing the 2 medications, there is a risk of upper GI bleeds, that is why it should be discussed with the doctor before using such a method of dosage.
Consumption of alcohol or other substances must be restricted to avail full benefit of these medications. It is particularly necessary to check the types of food and beverages that need to be avoided during the medication. Tylenol can majorly affect the liver, which is why people with liver issues must be careful while taking it.