Can I Alternate Tylenol and Motrin for a Fever? A Pediatrician Explains
Share
Should you routinely alternate Tylenol and Motrin for fever? Usually, no. One medicine is often enough when a child has fever or pain.
Using two medicines makes dosing harder to track. That can lead to mistakes. If your pediatrician tells you to use both, follow the plan and write down every dose.
- Treat your child's discomfort, not just the thermometer.
- Tylenol and Motrin can both reduce fever and pain.
- Most children do not need both medicines.
- Use your child's weight to choose the dose.
- Do not give Motrin to a baby under 6 months unless your doctor tells you to.
- For a child under age 2, check with your doctor before giving Tylenol.
- If you use both medicines, write down every dose.
- A baby under 3 months with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs prompt medical care.
A child with fever can make any parent worry. You may wonder what to do when Tylenol wears off and the fever comes back.
Tylenol contains acetaminophen. Motrin and Advil contain ibuprofen. Both can help with fever or pain.
But using both can be confusing. For most children, a simple plan is safer.
Should I Alternate Tylenol and Motrin for Fever?
Usually, no.
One medicine is often enough to help a child feel better. You do not need to make the body temperature normal.
Studies show that using acetaminophen and ibuprofen together or in turns can lower fever more during the first few hours. But those studies looked at short-term use.
They did not show that routine use of two medicines helps a child get well faster. Using two medicines can also lead to dosing mistakes.
For most children, start with one medicine when needed for comfort.
Treat the child, not just the thermometer.
Is your child drinking? Breathing well? Resting? More alert after medicine? Those signs matter more than getting the temperature back to 98.6°F.
How Soon Can You Give Motrin After Tylenol?
There is no single switching schedule that every parent should use.
If your doctor tells you to alternate the medicines, follow that plan. Each medicine still has its own dosing schedule.
Do not give either medicine early. Do not start switching medicines just because the fever comes back.
Tylenol and Motrin: What Parents Should Know
| Medicine | Basic Safety Guide |
|---|---|
|
Tylenol (acetaminophen) |
Use your child's weight to find the dose. For children under 12, AAP guidance allows a dose every 4 hours when needed. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours. For children under age 2, check with your doctor first. |
|
Motrin / Advil (ibuprofen) |
Use your child's weight and follow the label. Do not give ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months unless your child's doctor tells you to. |
Always check the strength of the medicine before giving a dose. Use the syringe or dosing cup that comes with it. Never use a kitchen spoon.
Why Can Alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen Cause Problems?
The biggest problem is confusion.
You need to know which medicine you gave. You also need to know the dose and the time.
This gets harder at night. It gets even harder when more than one person is caring for the child.
Too much acetaminophen can cause serious liver damage. Ibuprofen can also cause side effects and is not right for every child.
Keep a simple medicine log.
- Write down the medicine.
- Write down the dose.
- Write down the time.
- Write down who gave it.
Do not rely on memory.
Is Motrin Good for Fevers?
Yes. Motrin can reduce fever and pain in many children.
But it is not for every child. Do not give ibuprofen to an infant under 6 months unless your doctor tells you to.
Be careful if your child is dehydrated. Ibuprofen may not be a good choice in that setting.
Call your pediatrician if your child is vomiting often, drinking poorly, or urinating much less than usual.
What Should I Know About Tylenol?
Tylenol can reduce fever or pain. Use your child's weight to find the correct dose.
For children under 12, AAP guidance allows acetaminophen every 4 hours when needed. Do not give more than 5 doses in 24 hours.
For children under age 2, check with your doctor before giving it.
Also check other medicines your child is taking. Some cold and flu products contain acetaminophen. Giving two products with the same drug can cause an overdose.
What If the Fever Comes Back?
This happens often.
Fever medicine can help for a few hours. It does not cure the illness that caused the fever.
The temperature may rise again when the medicine wears off. That does not mean the medicine failed.
Do not give another dose early. Follow the dosing instructions for the medicine you used.
- Offer fluids often.
- Let your child rest.
- Use light, comfortable clothing.
- Use fever medicine when your child is uncomfortable.
- Use your child's weight for the dose.
- Use the measuring device that comes with the medicine.
- Watch how your child looks and acts.
Does Fever Medicine Need to Make the Fever Go Away?
No.
A child may still have a fever after medicine and feel much better. That is okay.
Watch your child's drinking, breathing, alertness, and comfort. These signs can tell you more than the number alone.
Can Fever Medicine Prevent Febrile Seizures?
Fever medicine has not been shown to reliably prevent febrile seizures.
Do not use two medicines just to keep the temperature normal in hopes of stopping a seizure.
If your child has had a febrile seizure before, follow the plan from your pediatrician.
When Should I Call My Pediatrician?
Call if:
- You are not sure which medicine or dose to use.
- You want to use both medicines but do not have clear instructions.
- Your child is drinking poorly.
- Your child may be dehydrated.
- Your child keeps vomiting.
- Your child still looks sick when the fever comes down.
- Your child is getting worse.
- Fever lasts more than 24 hours in a child under age 2.
- Fever lasts more than 3 days in a child age 2 or older.
When Does Fever Need Urgent Care?
- A baby under 3 months has a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.
- Your child has trouble breathing.
- Your child is very hard to wake.
- Your child has a seizure.
- Your child has a stiff neck and looks very sick.
- Your child has signs of serious dehydration.
- Your child has a purple or blood-colored rash.
- Fever repeatedly rises above 104°F (40°C).
- Your child looks seriously ill to you.
Do not delay care for a young baby with fever while trying different fever medicines.
Fever is a symptom. It is not the enemy.
Use medicine to help your child feel better. Keep the plan simple and easy to track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I alternate Tylenol and ibuprofen for fever?
Usually not. One medicine is often enough. If your pediatrician tells you to use both, follow the plan carefully.
How often should I switch between Tylenol and Motrin?
There is no single switching schedule for parents to use on their own. Each medicine has its own dosing rules.
Can I give Tylenol and Motrin at the same time?
The medicines have been studied together. But most children with fever do not need both. Using both also makes dosing harder to track.
Can a baby under 6 months take Motrin?
Do not give Motrin to a baby under 6 months unless your baby's doctor tells you to.
Why did my child's fever come back after Tylenol?
Tylenol works for a limited time. It does not cure the illness. The fever may return as the medicine wears off.
Is alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen more effective?
It can lower fever more during the first few hours. But the added benefit for comfort is less clear. Longer repeated use has also not been studied as well.
The Bottom Line
Tylenol and Motrin can both help with fever or pain. Most children do not need them routinely alternated.
Use the right dose. Keep the plan simple. Watch how your child feels and acts.
If your pediatrician tells you to use both medicines, write down every dose.
Clear Answers When Your Child Is Sick
Join the Pediatric Parent Guide Parent Club for practical guidance from Dr. G on fever, medicine, common illnesses, newborn care, sleep, and development.
Join the Parent Club →References & Medical Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Acetaminophen Dosing for Children
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Ibuprofen Dosing for Children
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Fever Without Fear
- De la Cruz-Mena JE, et al. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen for Fever . Pediatrics. 2024.
- Wade KC, Mathis C. Antipyretic Strategies . Pediatrics. 2024.
Related Parent Resources
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer
This article is for education and does not replace your child's doctor. Medicine choice and dosing depend on age, weight, health, hydration, and the product used. Always read the label and use the correct measuring device. Do not give ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months unless your doctor tells you to. For a child under age 2, check with your doctor before giving acetaminophen. A baby under 3 months with a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher needs prompt medical care. Call 911 for an emergency.
Related Parent Resources
More guidance on closely related questions parents often ask.