Paracetemol/Ibruprofron

[jd_1984]

Is it ok to cycle 1x400mg Ibruprofon and 1x500mg paracetemol at 2hr intervals? Or is that excessive for pain releif??

[fliptheswitch]

It depends on how long you're planning on taking them for. I used to do this all the time... well, when I was ill, but just recently someone told me the ibuprofen should be every six hours, so I am a bit confused.

Sorry, that doesn't answer your question at all does it :P

[welshlibranr]

jd, 400mg of Ibruprofen is fine for about 4 or 5 hours, don't take any more often though, and then after 2 hours you can take 2 Paracetamol, but be sure not to take any earlier!........only for a short time though!.......

[LoftyLottie]

From the NHS Website and also confirmed to me by my GP

"Taking both medicines together
If you want to take paracetamol and ibuprofen together, take both doses at the same time. Leave six hours before taking them together again.

Read the instructions on the packaging of your medicines carefully to make sure you don’t take too much of either medicine. If you need further advice, speak to your pharmacist or GP, or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647."

[LoftyLottie]

Here is the link

http://www.nhs.uk/chq...=73&SubCategoryID=103

I take them together once a day, at night for arthritis relief. And again during the day if I need to

[welshlibranr]

sorry to disagree with Loftylottie, but I find that taking these tablets at intervals is more effective, and this is what my doctor advised too.......

[LoftyLottie]

You made it sound WelshLib. that under no circumstances should you take paracetamol less than two hours after taking Ibuprofen. This is not true.

True though that different doctors have different ideas.

I'll stick with NHS advice rather than advice given on AB though.

Sorry.

[237SJ]

I can`t really see any difference whether you take them together or at intervals. They work in different ways (but I`m not a doctor so don`t quote me). The normal dose of paracetemol (in adults) is 2 x 500mg every four to six hours with no more than eight tablets in a day. At 500mg the Op would be taking half the dose. Not sure about ibuprofen. (I`m only going on how we use paracetamol at work). Theoretically I would think every two hours is OK but I would try to leave a bit longer if you can.

[ummmm]

Just be careful with the ibuprofen and make sure you don't take it on an empty stomach.

[welshlibranr]

no, Lottie!......not what I meant at all, they can be taken at any time after Ibrupofin, as long as you leave at least 4 hours between dose of Paracetemol and 4 -5 hours between Ibruprofen.......I just find it more effective if i take the paracetemol after 2 hours!...

[LoftyLottie]

Oh, OK. Misunderstood :o(

Taking them together at night means I get at least a couple of reasonable pain free hours.

[jd_1984]

Thanks for the comments, if a little conflicted. I have a groin strain and was just looking for the most effective way to take the edge of the pain. The cycling of both was suggested to me, but only for a short period of time. I just wanted to ensure no risks involved

[welshlibranr]

Lottie, I find that staggering them works well, and gives me more pain free time!.....but suppose it's all down to the individual at the end of the day!...

[237SJ]

If you have a strain then I would say ibuprofen is better as it has anti-inflammatory properties.

[welshlibranr]

jd, whichever option you choose, will be fine!......hope you feel better soon!...

[LoftyLottie]

I would agree ^. Ibuprofen to take down inflammation, and paracetamol works better for pain tha Ibuprofen, but doesn't take down inflammation. Two totally different types of drug and they don't conflict.

[jd_1984]

Thanks guys.
Well i took a 400mg ibruprofen at 8.30pm. Goin to bang in couple paracetemols now before bed.
I hope it stems the pain enough to nod off!!

[welshlibranr]

Hope so too jd..............sleep well!..........

[joko]

welsh, i think your overuse of exclamation marks makes it seem like you are ordering or even shouting a bit, which causes the reader to take it that way, hence the confusion..

[Sqad]

OH! dear....what the NHS says...what the instructions say.....what the doctors say......what AB says..............all different....;-)

When the above happens, which it does regularly, then it means it matters not one "jot"

jd....that regime is perfectly correct.

NB. 400mgms is a "p1ssing" dose of ibuprofen for the short term relief of pain such as a strain. Personally I would not start on anything lower than 600mg as on the Continent one can purchase 600mgm tablets over the counter.

[BagPussAA]

I must admit that I am with Sqad on this one. My GP has even advised me that taking anything less than 600mg of Ibuprofen for short term pain relief is not really worth it! I also find that , like Welsh, staggering the paracetamol and ibuprofen a few hours apart has more of an effect than when they are taken together.