Is It Safe To Take Ibuprofen With Benadryl? We Explain One Potential Benefit

You should always exercise some caution before taking two medications at the same time. Even common over-the-counter (OTC) medicines don't always play nicely with one another after they enter your system. However, some OTC drugs can be safely combined, including Benadryl and ibuprofen.

Quick refresher: Benadryl acts as an antihistamine and contains diphenhydramine as its active ingredient. WebMD explains that diphenhydramine's main purpose is to provide relief from symptoms like allergic reactions, nasal stuffiness, watering of the eyes, and sneezing. (If you'd rather not pay full price for Benadryl, you can sometimes find generic or store-brand diphenhydramine for less.)

What does ibuprofen do? Classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ibuprofen helps reduce pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Ibuprofen may also assist in bringing down a fever or alleviating the discomfort of joint inflammation. Like diphenhydramine, ibuprofen can be purchased in both brand-name (e.g., Advil, Motrin) and generic forms.

Obviously, Benadryl and ibuprofen serve distinct purposes. But those different purposes can be complementary.

For example, the Cleveland Clinic notes that, when taken following the recommended dosage allowances for your age, combining Benadryl and ibuprofen can offer you a predictable way to get to sleep when you're under the weather with a cold or virus. This means that if you can't snooze because of body aches, a cough, nasal congestion, or a high temperature, you may be able to safely take these products as long as your doctor hasn't advised otherwise because of a pre-existing condition or allergy.

The advantage of taking Benadryl and ibuprofen is that you can tackle several nagging issues at once without needing a prescription. For instance, say you have a headache and runny nose because you're sick. Both problems make it tough to fall asleep because you can't breathe properly or relax. Taking Benadryl addresses the runny nose and taking ibuprofen dulls the headache. That means you can comfortably get the rest you need to prompt faster healing.

How much Benadryl and ibuprofen can be taken together? Drugs.com recommends that adults trying to get sleep-inducing results can take as much as 38 milligrams of Benadryl and 200 milligrams of ibuprofen two times a day. With that said, you don't necessarily have to figure out the dosing of Benadryl and ibuprofen. The makers of Advil (as well as the manufacturers of other drugs) have introduced an OTC product called Advil PM. What's unique about Advil PM is that the formula contains a safe mixture of diphenhydramine and ibuprofen. As noted on the Advil website, a single Advil PM capsule contains 25 milligrams of diphenhydramine and 200 milligrams of ibuprofen. Therefore, you can simply take one pill, tablet, or liquid dose to get the relief you want rather than having to pull out two bottles or packages of medicine. (Who doesn't appreciate convenience and speed when you've tried all the tricks to fall asleep and still just can't seem to nod off?)

This doesn't mean that there are no potential downsides to taking Benadryl along with ibuprofen. If you're sensitive to either drug, you might end up with some unwanted side effects. And many widely reported side effects are shared between the two medications.

For instance, WebMD lists constipation, upset stomach, and dizziness as common ibuprofen side effects. Ironically, WebMD lists the same potential side effects (as well as some others like dry mouth and sleepiness) for Benadryl. Therefore, it's not impossible for you to experience a doubling of symptoms if you take Benadryl and ibuprofen simultaneously.

Of course, if you have any concerns about whether you should take ibuprofen and Benadryl (or you're hesitant to combine the two drugs for the first time), contact your healthcare provider. Getting the go-ahead from a medical professional you trust can help you make a more informed, confident choice.

If you're the parent of a sick child under age 12, it's a good practice to touch base with your child's pediatrician before giving your youngster a combination of ibuprofen and Benadryl. The Mayo Clinic notes that the outcomes of concurrent pediatric dosing of both ibuprofen and diphenhydramine in kids ages 11 and younger haven't been adequately explored.