Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are two of the most common over-the-counter pain relievers. Learn whether you can mix the two, as well as information about how they interact with other pain relievers.

The pain relievers acetaminophen and ibuprofen are in several over-the-counter drugs. Some people even mistake the two. But they have specific purposes and can cause problems if you’re not careful.

Doctors compare household painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, explaining their mechanisms and when each works best ...

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), on the other hand, works for closer to four to six hours. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is most effective for more mild pain that is not caused by inflammation, Dr. Peperzak said.

People often use the wrong painkiller or take too much too quickly, increasing the risk of side effects, say pharmacists. Here are safer and more effective ways to take drugs like Advil and Tylenol.

Taking too much acetaminophen at one time or too many doses close together can cause liver damage, Tsourounis says. So stick to 3,000 milligrams of the drug at most per day, and don’t mix it ...

There’s acetaminophen, or Tylenol. There’s ibuprofen, which is used in products including Advil and Motrin. There’s aspirin, which, like ibuprofen, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ...

There’s acetaminophen, or Tylenol. There’s ibuprofen, which is used in products including Advil and Motrin. There’s aspirin, which, like ibuprofen, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ...