Can you take Advil (ibuprofen) and Gravol (dimenhydrinate) together?
You generally do not have to wait between taking Advil and Gravol. They are commonly used for different symptoms—Advil helps with pain and inflammation, while Gravol helps with nausea/motion sickness—so they can usually be taken at the same time or in alternating doses if needed.
Do the two medicines interact?
There is no specific, well-known interaction that means you must separate them by hours. The main practical concern is to follow the label directions for each medication and avoid taking more than the recommended daily amounts.
What should you watch for when taking both?
Gravol can cause drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and dizziness. If you take it with other medicines that make you sleepy (or with alcohol), those effects can add up.
Advil can irritate the stomach and can raise bleeding risk in some situations. It’s especially important to avoid Advil if you have been told not to use NSAIDs (or if you have a history of stomach ulcers/bleeding, significant kidney disease, or certain bleeding disorders).
When should you NOT take them without asking a pharmacist/doctor?
Check with a clinician or pharmacist before using either medication if you:
- Are pregnant (especially later pregnancy), or are breastfeeding
- Have kidney disease, a history of stomach ulcers/GI bleeding, or take blood thinners (like warfarin) or other NSAIDs
- Have glaucoma, trouble urinating (can be an issue with some antihistamines like dimenhydrinate)
- Are taking other sedating medications
Timing guidance if you’re trying to manage symptoms
If both are needed, many people take them at the same time based on the directions on each label. If Gravol makes you drowsy and you need to stay alert, you may prefer to take it when you can rest.
If you tell me your age and whether this is for nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, or pain (and what doses you have), I can help you interpret the label timing more precisely.