How to Combine Aspirin and Tylenol

Both aspirin and Tylenol are over-the-counter pain-relieving medications that can be used for a variety of aches and pains. Tylenol's main ingredient is acetaminophen, which works to relieve pain and reduce a fever by targeting the brain's pain signals and controlling your body's temperature, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Aspirin, on the other hand, is an anti-inflammatory drug. For muscle aches and back pain, it's often helpful to combine aspirin and Tylenol. The two drugs work differently, so they are often more effective in relieving pain when used together.

Instructions

• 1

  Take aspirin and Tylenol separately. Read the labels to make sure you take the appropriate dosage. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1,000 mg per dose and 4,000 mg per day. It is especially necessary to follow these guidelines because an excess of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.

• 2

  Drink a full glass of water after swallowing the pills. Take the aspirin with food, which can lessen the chance of stomach upset.

• 3

  If you would rather take a combined drug, try Excedrin Back & Body. There are several forms of Excedrin, but some contain aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine. Excedrin Back & Body only contains acetaminophen and aspirin, and is used to treat muscle aches, back pain and arthritis pain. Make sure to take the appropriate dosage as shown on the label.

• 4

  Swallow the Excedrin pills with a full glass of water. Do not take more than eight pills over the course of 24 hours.

• 5

  Avoid drinking alcohol while taking either Excedrin or aspirin and Tylenol together. Alcohol use can increase your risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding, according to Drugs.com.