If i took aleve can i take tylenol

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Meloxicam and Aleve (naproxen) belong to the same class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (abbreviated to NSAIDs) and are used to relieve pain and fever and reduce inflammation. They are used to treat mild-to-moderate pain caused by conditions such as headaches, menstruation, migraines, arthritis, sprains and strains, and toothache.

NSAIDs can be used in combination with Tylenol (acetaminophen) for moderate pain not relieved by NSAIDs alone.

It is best not to take more than one NSAID at the same time as you increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

Side effects most commonly include gastrointestinal upset such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritation of the lining of the stomach, nausea or vomiting. NSAIDs also affect kidney function and reduce how quickly blood flows through the kidneys. They may cause retention of sodium and water which can lead to edema and high potassium levels. Some NSAIDs have a high risk of cardiovascular thrombotic events such as a heart attack or stroke. Asthma, headache, insomnia and hives are also side effects of NSAIDs.

It would be safer for you to add Tylenol to either meloxicam or Aleve but you should not take meloxicam and Aleve together.

No interactions were found between Aleve and Tylenol. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

A total of 398 drugs are known to interact with Aleve.

A total of 107 drugs are known to interact with Tylenol.

Drug and food interactions

No alcohol/food interactions were found. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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There are many people who believe that Tylenol is pretty much the same thing as aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen), but there is one key difference: the latter three belong to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

While NSAIDs also have analgesic and antipyretic effects, they can also relieve inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. Tylenol cannot.

Despite this added benefit, NSAIDs have a number of potentially serious side effects that limit their use. As such, neither Tylenol nor NSAIDs can be considered "better" than the other; they simply have their appropriate use.

How Tylenol and NSAIDs Differ

Tylenol is primarily used to treat things like headaches, fever, muscle ache, backache, toothache, and colds. While the exact mechanism of action is still unclear, Tylenol is believed to inhibit an enzyme called COX-2 in the milder way than NSAIDs. By doing so, it prevents the brain from releasing chemicals that activate pain receptors.

While NSAIDs do many of the same things, they also temper the production of prostaglandin, a hormone-like compound which promotes inflammation. Prostaglandins also have the distinction of protecting the stomach from the damaging effects of digestive acids.

And, therein lies one of the major challenges of NSAID use: as prostaglandin levels decrease so, too, does the protective benefit to the stomach. Because Tylenol has less effect on prostaglandin, its gastrointestinal side effects are far less severe.

Comparing Side Effects

The utility of Tylenol and NSAIDs are largely defined by their side effects.

The side effects of Tylenol are typically minor and may include stomach upset, nausea, loss of appetite, and headache. On occasion, itchiness and rash can also develop.

By contrast, NSAIDs can cause heartburn, stomach pain, and peptic ulcers. Long-term or excessive use can affect blood pressure and clotting and increase the risk of bleeding, hypertension, peripheral edema (leg swelling), heart attack, and stroke.

For its part, Tylenol is neither associated with cardiovascular nor peptic ulcer risk. It can, however, cause serious liver damage if used in excess (more than 4,000 milligrams per day) or taken with alcohol.

While NSAIDs can also hurt the liver if used in excess, the risk is far smaller. The same applies to the kidneys but usually only when there is an underlying kidney disorder.

Doubling Up Painkillers

As a rule, you wouldn't double up on NSAIDs because of the increased risk of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects. Similarly, you wouldn't want to make a habit of doubling your Tylenol dose since liver toxicity may develop with a daily dose as little as 3,000 milligrams (or six Tylenol Extra Strength caplets).

With that being said, there is nothing inherently wrong if you decide to supplement your daily NSAIDs with Tylenol. If, for instance, your Advil or Aleve is not providing you the arthritis relief you need, you can take a Tylenol later in the day as long as you stay within the recommended dosage.

On the other hand, if you have underlying kidney impairment or liver disease (like hepatitis B or C), then you would need to work with your healthcare provider to either tailor your usage or find alternatives that won't contribute to organ damage.

A Word From Verywell

During the onset of arthritis symptoms, people will often self-medicate and use pain as the sole measure of how much or little drug they need to take. While this usually won't cause problems in the early stages, it can become troublesome if the condition worsens and proper medical care is not sought.

Arthritis is a disease that needs to be managed. By working with a healthcare provider, you can avoid treatment complications and find pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical solutions that can provide relief without causing damage to your health.