The short answer
- Between Nurofen and Panadol: no gap needed. Take them together or at any time apart.
- Panadol to Panadol: at least 4 hours; no more than 4 doses (4,000 mg) in 24 hours.
- Nurofen to Nurofen: at least 4 hours, usually every 6–8 hours; no more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours without a doctor.
Think of it as two separate clocks
Paracetamol (Panadol) and ibuprofen (Nurofen) don’t interact, so each medicine only needs to respect its own schedule. A common mistake is to think that after taking Panadol you must wait 4 hours before Nurofen. You don’t. If you took Panadol at 8:30 and the pain is still bad at 10:00, you can add Nurofen at 10:00, as long as you haven’t had ibuprofen in the previous 4 hours and you’re within the daily limit.
The real risks are taking the same medicine too often, and taking a second product that contains the same ingredient without realising it (cold and flu tablets, combination painkillers). More on that in can I take Nurofen and Panadol together and in the pain relief guide.
Together or alternating: which is better?
Both approaches are used. Taking them together gives the strongest relief at one time and is simple to remember: for example, at 8:00, 14:00 and 20:00. Alternating them spreads the effect so the pain doesn’t peak before the next dose is due. Neither is proven to be safer, and alternating makes mistakes more likely, so write the times down.
Sample day for an adult: taking them together
| Time |
Panadol (500 mg tablets) |
Nurofen (200 mg tablets) |
| 08:00 |
2 tablets |
2 tablets, with breakfast |
| 14:00 |
2 tablets |
2 tablets, with food |
| 20:00 |
2 tablets |
2 tablets, with food |
| Night, if needed (02:00) |
2 tablets |
— |
| Total |
8 tablets = 4,000 mg (maximum) |
6 tablets = 1,200 mg (maximum) |
Sample day: alternating
| Time |
Medicine |
Running total |
| 07:00 |
Panadol 1,000 mg |
Paracetamol 1,000 mg |
| 10:00 |
Nurofen 400 mg with food |
Ibuprofen 400 mg |
| 13:00 |
Panadol 1,000 mg |
Paracetamol 2,000 mg |
| 16:00 |
Nurofen 400 mg with food |
Ibuprofen 800 mg |
| 19:00 |
Panadol 1,000 mg |
Paracetamol 3,000 mg |
| 22:00 |
Nurofen 400 mg with food |
Ibuprofen 1,200 mg (maximum) |
| 01:00 if awake in pain |
Panadol 1,000 mg |
Paracetamol 4,000 mg (maximum) |
Most people need much less than this. Use the lowest dose that works, and stop as the pain settles.
Keep a dose log. Write each dose and time on paper or in your phone notes, or set reminders. It prevents accidental double doses, especially at night or when several people are caring for someone.
How often can you take Nurofen?
The packet says every 4–6 hours as needed, with no more than three 400 mg doses or six 200 mg tablets in 24 hours. In practice, ibuprofen’s pain relief lasts about 6–8 hours for many people, so three doses a day spread over waking hours is typical. “Can Nurofen be given 4 times a day?” For adults, four doses of 200 mg (800 mg) is within the limit. Four doses of 400 mg (1,600 mg) is above the over-the-counter maximum and should only be taken if a doctor has advised it.
How often can you take Panadol?
Every 4–6 hours, up to four doses in 24 hours. For Panadol Osteo (665 mg modified-release), the schedule is different: 2 caplets every 6–8 hours, maximum 6 caplets a day. Don’t combine Panadol Osteo with standard Panadol, because both count towards the same paracetamol limit.
Spacing for children
Children follow the same principle with different limits: paracetamol up to 4 times in 24 hours (at least 4 hours apart) and ibuprofen up to 3 times in 24 hours (at least 6 hours apart), with doses calculated from weight. UK guidance (NICE) advises against routinely alternating for fever; switch to the other medicine only if distress continues. See Panadol and Nurofen for children.
Frequently asked questions
I took Panadol at 8:30. Can I take Nurofen at 1:30?
Yes. You could have taken Nurofen at any time after the Panadol, because they don’t interact. At 1:30 you can also take another Panadol dose if needed, since more than 4 hours have passed.
How long after Nurofen can I take Panadol?
Straight away if you need to. There is no required gap between the two medicines.
How often can you take Panadol and Nurofen together?
Together, they can be repeated every 6 hours or so, which keeps both within their limits: four combined doses a day would reach the paracetamol maximum, so ibuprofen would be limited to three of them at 400 mg.
Is it better to take them with food?
Nurofen should be taken with or after food or milk to reduce stomach upset. Panadol can be taken with or without food.
Sources and further reading
CanforaMedicine Guide
