Prednisone is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids. This type of drug reduces inflammation in your body. Healthcare professionals use it to treat a wide variety of conditions, including:
- autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, and multiple sclerosis (MS)
- asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- severe allergic reactions
- certain skin conditions like eczema
- infections
- some cancers
Although prednisone can effectively reduce inflammation and suppress immune system activity, it doesn’t always relieve pain when you take it alone.
Keep reading to learn more about which pain relievers are safe to take while you’re taking prednisone.
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Why use caution with prednisone and pain relievers?
Like most drugs, prednisone can have side effects. Specifically, prednisone can affect your stomach, blood pressure, and bones, especially when you take it for a longer period of time.
Some OTC pain relievers, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can cause similar side effects. If you take prednisone with an NSAID, the side effects can accumulate and lead to issues like stomach ulcers, bleeding, or increased blood pressure.
That’s why it’s important to choose the right kind of pain reliever and to check with your doctor before combining prednisone with any other medications.
Safest option: acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a popular OTC pain reliever that healthcare professionals generally consider safe to take with prednisone. Unlike NSAIDs, it doesn’t irritate your stomach or increase the risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding.
Tylenol tends to work well for mild to moderate pain, like headaches or muscle aches. However, it’s important not to take more than the recommended daily dose. This is typically no more than 3,000 to 4,000 milligrams (mg) per day for adults. Taking more than the recommended amount can increase the risk of liver damage.
Use with caution: ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin
NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin are effective pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs that you can buy OTC. But they’re also known to cause stomach irritation, especially when taken with prednisone.
Combining prednisone with NSAIDs may raise the risk of:
- stomach ulcers
- gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding
- kidney issues
If you want to take ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin while you’re on prednisone, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure it’s safe to do so.
How soon can you take ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin after you’ve taken prednisone?
A few things you need to keep in mind when it comes to taking an NSAID while you’re taking prednisone.
Duration of treatment
If you’re taking a short-term dose of prednisone (such as for a few days), taking an NSAID a few hours after your dose of prednisone may not cause any problems. However, if you’re taking prednisone therapy long term, the combination of these two drugs could increase the risk of side effects.
Dosage
Taking high doses of prednisone or high doses of an NSAID could increase the risk of complications. It may be less of a concern if you’re taking low doses.
If you’re taking low dose aspirin for heart health and your doctor has specifically told you to do so, it should be safe to continue. But it is best to avoid higher doses of aspirin while you’re taking prednisone.
If you’re taking prednisone and want to take an NSAID for pain relief, it’s best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you understand when it may be safe for you to take an NSAID and what dose to take for pain relief.
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Prednisone is a powerful corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in your body. However, it may not provide adequate pain relief.
Many OTC pain relievers can cause side effects that are similar to the side effects of prednisone. This is especially the case for NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. If you take an NSAID with prednisone, it could raise the risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding, or increased blood pressure.
Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen (Tylenol) doesn’t irritate the stomach or increase the risk of stomach ulcers or bleeding. Doctors and pharmacists generally consider it safe to take with prednisone, as long as you don’t exceed the recommended daily dose.
Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC pain reliever while you’re taking prednisone.