How Long After Advil Can I Take Aleve And Why?

logo by Editorial Staff | Updated on November 24th, 2022

It is generally not recommended to take Advil and Aleve together. Combining these medications may increase the risk of side effects in the gastrointestinal tract. It is best to wait until the effects of the Advil wear off before taking Aleve.


Quick Answer is: 10 Hours

Each person has a list of prescriptions that they keep in their homes. They are mostly used to treat fever, discomfort, cough, and cold symptoms, among other things. Two of the medications are Advil and Aleve. They can be mixed within a course, but there should be at least a 10-hour break between them.

advil and aleve

Ibuprofen is marketed under the brand name Advil, and naproxen is marketed under the brand name Aleve. NSAIDs include ibuprofen and naproxen.

NSAIDs are prescribed by doctors and pharmacists to assist decrease inflammation, discomfort, and fever.

Advil and Aleve can be used for the following purposes:

  • muscular ache
  • menstrual cramps
  • headaches
  • Migraine attacks
  • Gouty arthritis and arthrosis

What are their commonalities and differences?

Similarities

Drugs of the NSAID family can be classified into distinct groups based on their chemical structure. The chemical structures of Advil and Aleve are identical. Propionic acids are what they’re called.

Another NSAID classification is based on the drug’s selectivity for the cyclooxygenase, or COX, enzyme. This enzyme contributes to the inflammatory process. Both Advil and Aleve are non-selective NSAIDs, which means they may bind to both the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.

Differences

There are various distinctions between the two NSAIDs, the most important of which are as follows.

Ingredients in Use

Ibuprofen is the active component in Advil. Ibuprofen 200 milligrams (mg) is contained in each Advil pill.

Naproxen sodium is the active component in Aleve pills. The naproxen sodium content of each Aleve tablet is 220 mg.

Dosing

Because Advil’s effects last four to eight hours and Aleve’s effects last eight to twelve hours, the medications have differing dose directions. Advil begins to work faster, but it does not last as long as Aleve.

Advil: Adults and children over the age of 12 should take one tablet every four to six hours while their symptoms linger. If one pill is ineffective, two can be taken concurrently. Unless otherwise instructed by a healthcare expert, you should not take more than six pills in 24 hours.

Take one Aleve every eight to twelve hours as the symptoms linger. You can take two Aleve during the first hour for the first dose. You should not take more than two Aleve tablets in a 24-hour period. Unless told otherwise by your healthcare professional, you should not take more than three Aleve in a 24-hour period.

Advil 200-mg dosages offer for greater dosing precision. This is due to the fact that the safe limit can range from 200 mg to 1200 mg per day. The starting dose of Aleve is 220 mg, however the maximum daily dose is 880 mg.

Side effects

When compared to other NSAIDs, Advil (ibuprofen) has the lowest risk of stomach problems (naproxen). Advil is preferred by those who suffer from ulcers or acid reflux problems.

Aleve is more likely to develop pseudoporphyria, which is a sort of light sensitivity.

Can I bring them both?

People should avoid using Advil and Aleve at the same time.

Combining the two medications has no advantage because they both operate on the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.

People can take an NSAID with acetaminophen if required, because both medications alleviate pain and fever through separate modes of action.

Combining Advil and Aleve can increase the risk of adverse effects while not boosting the efficacy of either medicine.

The following are some of the side effects of taking large dosages of NSAIDs or a combination of NSAIDs:

  • reduced kidney function
  • gastrointestinal and intestinal hemorrhage
  • increased bleeding time and impaired blood clotting ability

What happens if I mix Advil and Aleve?

Taking more than one NSAID, such as Advil and Aleve, at the same time does not speed up pain relief. Taking an NSAID in excess or for an extended period of time might also raise your chance of some negative effects.

Instead, it may raise your chances of experiencing negative effects. If taking only one of the medications does not relieve your discomfort, consult your doctor. You may require a different drug, or your discomfort may be an indication of a greater issue.

Can I take Aleve after taking Advil?

NSAIDDuration Of Action
Advil4-8 Hours
Aleve10-12 Hours

After taking Advil, one should wait at least 10 hours before taking Aleve. This is also true if Aleve is taken first, followed by Advil. Although 10 hours is not a precise timetable, the interval between dosages should be at least 8 to 12 hours.

Why is it so difficult to take Advil after Aleve?

Advil and Aleve are both pain relievers that should only be used when absolutely necessary. When viewed from a medical standpoint, the 10-hour delay is not that significant. The drug requires time to take effect when first taken.

When the effect wears off, another one can be used. If both are consumed at the same time, it may have an adverse effect on the person ingesting it.

The FDA, or Food and Drug Administration, allowed the use of these drugs for separate purposes, despite the fact that they have the same chemical composition and are both NSAIDs. 

Advil is indicated for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, preterm newborns, fever, and so forth. If that individual has rheumatoid arthritis, pain, tendinitis, or another ailment, Aleve will be his or her first pick.

Advil has a substantially shorter duration of effect than Aleve. Advil’s effects continue for roughly 4 to 8 hours until another dose is required. Aleve’s effects might continue up to 10 to 12 hours. Aleve is used twice a day if necessary.

These medications have adverse effects as well. Kidney problems, cardiovascular problems, and digestive problems are among the negative effects. Furthermore, before taking any medicines, get the opinion of a doctor.

Conclusion

As previously said, there are a few negative effects that may arise when using the medications. If a person has a medical issue involving the kidneys, heart, or digestive system, he or she should visit a doctor before taking the medicine.

Taking too many NSAIDs can lead to a variety of significant side effects. It can harm the kidneys and impair their function, as well as produce bleeding from the stomach or intestines.

There are potentially additional issues, such as a delayed capacity to coagulate blood, which increases blood loss. If a person loses too much blood, he or she may die. As a result, anyone using these medicines should use extreme caution.

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Editorial Staff

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