Thursday August 21st 2014

Can you take Advil in between doses of Lortab?

What is Lortab?

Lortrab is an opioid analgesic medication generally used to treat pain but it also helps suppress coughing. Lortab contains the medicines hydrocodone bitartrate (made from codeine) and acetaminophen. Hydrocodone is prescribed only in combination with other ingredients, and different combination products are prescribed for different uses. Acetaminophen is an active ingredient found in hundreds of over-the-counter (Tylenol) and prescription medicines and is thought to work in the brain rather than peripherally. Click here for more information on what Lortab is used for.

Lortab interactions

Taking Lortab can cause drowsiness, so medical professionals recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol and do not drive or perform tasks requiring concentration when you take this prescription pill. They also recommend that you take Lortab with food to decrease stomach upset.

What is Advil?

Advil is the brand name for the medicine called ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDS such as Advil work by inhibiting the synthesis of the enzyme prostaglandin.

Advil interactions

Advil should be taken with food to reduce stomach upset and can provoke indigestion, stomach pain, diarrhea, or black or bloody stools. Futhermore, Advil (ibuprofen) may cause drowsiness or increase blood pressure in some people.

Can you mix Lortab ingredients with Advil ingredients?

Lortab = hydrocodone bitartrate + acetaminophen
Advil = ibuprofen

Hydrocodone bitartrate does not have any notable adverse interactions with ibuprofen. Although NSAIDs may diminish the anti-hypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors, doctors therpeutically prescribe Hydrocodone mainly for pain relief. In fact, hydrocodone bitartrate and ibuprofen tablets are supplied in a fixed combination tablet form, taken orally and prescribed by doctors under the brand names: Ibudone, Reprexain, or Vicoprofen.

Furthermore, acetaminophen and ibuprofen have been prescribed together as a common clinical practice. There is no proven pharmacokinetic interaction between acetaminophen and ibuprofen when taken together. In fact, these drugs have not exhibited any inherent, dangerous interaction with each other in clinical studies over time. However, toxicity is a function of dosage any time you take any active medication. This is why you need to be aware of how much medicine you take, and what other medications you’re taking that are active.


Although hydrocodone bitartrate is mixed with both Advil and acetminophen with no known harmful effects, nor do Advil and acetminophen react harmfully, it is best to see a doctor when thinking about mixing any other medication with Lortab. Please comment below and let us know if you’ve ever used Lortab and Advil simultaneously.  Any side effects?  Any tips?

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