LADY asked
Can a person take Motrin with hydrocodone/acetaminophen 7.5/325 mg?
At a glance
- There is no known interaction between Motrin (ibuprofen) and hydrocodone/acetaminophen.
Answer
It is safe to take Motrin (ibuprofen) with hydrocodone/acetaminophen products for most individuals. There are no interactions between the two.
Motrin (ibuprofen) is often a safer choice for a supplemental over the counter analgesic than Tylenol (acetaminophen) since most hydrocodone products already contain acetaminophen.
Motrin With Hydrocodone
There is no drug interaction between Motrin (ibuprofen) and hydrocodone containing products. Advil, which contains the same active ingredient as Motrin (ibuprofen), is safe as well.
For many individuals, prescribers will recommend using ibuprofen as a first-line therapy for mild to moderate pain, and save the use of hydrocodone products for more severe pain symptoms.
The combination of hydrocodone and ibuprofen is available via prescription (Vicoprofen). A variety of studies have shown the additive analgesic efficacy of hydrocodone/ibuprofen combination products. Hydrocodone doesn't have anti-inflammatory activity on its own while ibuprofen does, making the combination effective for certain types of pain/injuries.
Some studies even suggest that hydrocodone/ibuprofen products are more effective than hydrocodone/acetaminophen and codeine/acetaminophen products in certain situations.
There are numerous contraindications with ibuprofen use (e.g. GI perforation, ulcers, those on blood thinners) so be sure to discuss the use of the drug with your doctor prior to taking.
About Motrin
Ibuprofen is available over the counter (200 mg), or via prescription (400 mg, 600 mg, 800 mg). Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in many over the counter products including Advil and Motrin.
It is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) used for a variety of indications including:
- Mild to moderate pain
- Arthritis
- Fever
After taking by mouth, peak effects occur within 1 to 2 hours and has a duration of action around 4 to 6 hours per dose.
Ibuprofen products should be taken with food to minimize GI discomfort. Long term use of ibuprofen should be avoided as it increases the risk of gastrointestinal side effects and can increase the risk of certain cardiovascular events.
References
- Combination hydrocodone and ibuprofen versus combination codeine and acetaminophen for the treatment of chronic pain. PubMed
- The synergistic analgesic interactions between hydrocodone and ibuprofen. PubMed
- Efficacy of ibuprofen-hydrocodone for the treatment of postoperative pain after periodontal surgery. PubMed
