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Key takeaways
In most cases, it is safe to take Theraflu and ibuprofen together as long as the products do not contain the same active ingredient.
Ibuprofen is a generic drug that reduces fever and relieves pain and inflammation.
Theraflu is the brand name for several medicines formulated to alleviate the symptoms of flu, cold, or both.
Always consult a healthcare professional before combining medications. Even OTC medications have the potential to cause serious side effects and drug interactions.
When you or someone you care for come down with the common cold or the flu, the only thing you want is relief—and the faster, the better. The dizzying array of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers and cold medications can get confusing, especially if there’s no single drug that will solve all your symptoms. Theraflu and ibuprofen are two common OTC medications for symptom relief.
Ibuprofen is a generic OTC pain reliever and fever reducer. It belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Though available in generic form, ibuprofen is also sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin, among others. (It’s also available in higher doses by prescription.)
Theraflu, on the other hand, is a family of several products with different formulations for cold and cough relief or flu relief. Theraflu medicines generally contain acetaminophen, which helps with fever and pain, and a combination of ingredients classified as an antihistamine, antitussive (anti-cough), and/or decongestant. There are various forms including liquids, packets, and pills—as well as daytime (non-drowsy) and nighttime formulations.
People have different reasons for wanting to take ibuprofen and Theraflu together, or maybe they have heard that a combination of OTC medications is more effective at reducing symptoms. Here’s everything you need to know about whether you can take Theraflu and ibuprofen together, including side effects and considerations to be aware of when taking them together.
Can you take Theraflu and ibuprofen together?
The short answer is yes, but it depends.
It is only safe to combine OTC drugs like these once you’ve double-checked that there is no ingredient overlap, according to Joanne Nguyen, Pharm.D., a clinical pharmacist based in Warner Robbins, Georgia.
Fortunately, Theraflu products do not contain ibuprofen. “Thus, in most cases, ibuprofen and Theraflu can be taken together,” says Raj Singh, MD, a primary care physician at HEALOR, a Las Vegas-based holistic primary care clinic, and the medical director of RAREV.
Bottom line: Not all Theraflu products contain the same active ingredients. Nguyen recommends checking ingredient labels before combining any of them with ibuprofen, as doubling up on NSAIDs like ibuprofen can “increase your risk of side effects.”
Considerations when taking Theraflu and ibuprofen together
There are a few essential things to consider before taking ibuprofen and Theraflu simultaneously.
Consult your healthcare provider first
Get medical advice from a healthcare provider before combining medications. Even if no known interactions exist between the drugs—as is the case between ibuprofen and acetaminophen, the pain reliever used in Theraflu products—an interaction may exist between one of these drugs and a supplement or prescription drug you are taking.
Understand the risk of side effects
The most common side effects of ibuprofen are heartburn and gastrointestinal discomfort. The most common side effects of Theraflu products that contain an antihistamine are drowsiness, dry mouth, and trouble urinating. By taking both of these medications, you could subject yourself to more possible side effects.
There is not a lot of research on taking ibuprofen with Theraflu, but one randomized controlled trial found that combining acetaminophen and ibuprofen may offer more pain relief than taking one alone. Researchers found “no definitive indications” that the profile of adverse events changed when the drugs were combined. Still, the study authors also noted that the sample size was too small to definitely say that there are no additional side effects when combining these medications.
Stick to the lowest effective dosage
Dr. Singh says that when an individual chooses to combine ibuprofen and Theraflu, it is important to use the lowest doses possible “as the combination can increase the risk of liver damage.”
The lowest standard dosage for ibuprofen is 200 milligrams (mg) orally every four to six hours as needed. The standard dose of Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold Relief is one packet of powder dissolved in 8 ounces of water every 4 hours as needed. To lower the potency of Theraflu, you might consider adding an extra hour or two between doses.
Is Theraflu or ibuprofen better for cold and flu symptoms?
Theraflu and ibuprofen can be used to treat the same conditions, but there are differences between these medications. Which is better depends on your symptoms, other conditions, and other drugs you may be taking. “Talk with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment for your cold or flu symptoms,” Nguyen says. There are many formulations of Theraflu, with different ingredients to address different symptoms. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, can help with symptoms such as fever, pain, and inflammation—but does not help cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose or cough.
When sold alone, ibuprofen is simply an NSAID that reduces fever and pain. “It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, substances in the body that cause inflammation and pain,” Dr. Singh says.
Theraflu, conversely, is used to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Dr. Singh says it typically includes “a combination of ingredients including acetaminophen (a pain reliever and fever reducer), phenylephrine (a decongestant), and sometimes an antihistamine.”
Common side effects
Ibuprofen and Theraflu have different side effects. Although this doesn’t affect their efficacy for cold or flu symptoms, it might help a person decide which side effects they are willing to risk.
Common ibuprofen side effects include gastrointestinal issues such as heartburn, gassiness, diarrhea, and nausea. Serious side effects, which may be linked to overdose, include ringing in the ears, high blood pressure, acute kidney injury, and stomach ulcers.
Common Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Nighttime side effects include dry mouth, trouble urinating, and nausea. Serious side effects include a fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat and severe headache.
Cost
The out-of-pocket cost of these OTC medications may vary depending on your pharmacy, geographic location, and coupons.
The cost of ibuprofen and Theraflu can vary greatly, especially considering that ibuprofen is available in various doses and brand names and that there are different types of Theraflu. To give you an idea, you can expect to pay an average of $13 for a 6-packet box of Theraflu Severe Cold and $16 for a bottle of 80, 200 mg capsules of Advil. However, ibuprofen is a generic medication often available at a cheaper price under the pharmacy’s brand.
You can also save money on ibuprofen and Theraflu with SingleCare coupons. With a SingleCare prescription discount card, individuals can expect to pay about $9 for a 6-packet box of Theraflu Severe Cold or $3 for 100 tablets of 200 mg generic ibuprofen. In order to apply a SingleCare discount to OTC products, you will need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Forms
If you have a sore throat, you might prefer a liquid or dissolvable powder medication to a tablet or capsule. In that case, Theraflu might be better than ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen is taken orally in tablet or capsule form. Theraflu, on the other hand, is available as a syrup, a packet of powder to dissolve in hot water, or a chewable.
Contraindications
These medications are not right for everyone.
Ibuprofen is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to other NSAIDs, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is also not recommended for individuals with a high risk of serious cardiovascular events, coronary artery bypass, and serious gastrointestinal conditions.
According to DailyMed, a website by the National Library of Medicine, Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold Relief should not be taken by anyone who is:
- Under 12 years of age
- Allergic to acetaminophen
- Taking other medications that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol)
- Taking a prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
Additionally, the nighttime version of Theraflu has the same warnings with one additional warning: Because it contains an antihistamine, it should not be taken with other antihistamines.
Other risks and restrictions
Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should talk to their healthcare provider before taking either ibuprofen or Theraflu.
According to DailyMed, ibuprofen may interact with aspirin, diuretics, lithium, and warfarin-like anticoagulants (blood thinners), among other drugs.
Also, according to DailyMed, it’s important to ask your healthcare provider before taking Theraflu if you have:
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid disease
- Diabetes
- An enlarged prostate gland
- Chronic cough or a cough with a lot of mucus
This is not a comprehensive list of risks for ibuprofen or Theraflu. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new medication, even an OTC drug like ibuprofen or Theraflu.
Theraflu vs. ibuprofen: Comparison chart |
||
|---|---|---|
| Theraflu Severe Cold | Ibuprofen | |
| Drug class | Fever and pain reliever/Antitussive/Decongestant Combination (ingredients vary by product) | NSAID (relieves pain, fever, inflammation) |
| Standard dosage and forms | Oral / Dosage varies based on form (tablets versus dissolvable tablets) | Oral / 200 mg–400 mg every 4–6 hours as needed
(Rx ibuprofen dosage is 400–800 mg taken 3–4 times per day) |
| Risks and restrictions to consider |
|
|
| Side effects |
|
|
| Average cost without insurance | $13 per 6-packet box | $16 for 80, 200 mg capsules of brand-name Advil |
| SingleCare cost | Get coupon | Get coupon |
| Learn more | More Theraflu details | More ibuprofen details |
Bottom line
It is considered generally safe to take Theraflu and ibuprofen together as long as the drug products used do not have any of the same active ingredients and the individual takes the lowest recommended dose of each drug.
It is important to follow the dosage instructions and consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before combining drugs. These precautions are key even when combining any OTC drugs, as there is always a risk of side effects and interactions with your other medications.
Sources
- Combined acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief after oral surgery in adults: a randomized controlled trial, British Journal of Anaesthesia (2010)
- Ibuprofen, StatPearls (2024)
- Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Daytime, DailyMed (2024)
- Theraflu Severe Cold Relief Nighttime, DailyMed (2024)
- Ibuprofen, DailyMed (2024)