Yes. You can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) after a flu shot to treat a sore arm, aches, or fever, and the CDC says pain relievers can be used to treat fever and injection-site pain after vaccination. What the CDC does not recommend is taking them before or at the time of the shot to try to prevent side effects. The NHS says the most common side effects, like a sore arm and aches, get better within 1 to 2 days.
Is it OK to take ibuprofen or Tylenol after a flu shot?
Yes, if you need it. The CDC's vaccine administration guidance says pain relievers can be used to treat fever and pain at the injection site that might happen after vaccination. That covers both ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
You do not have to take anything. If your arm is a little sore and it does not bother you, you can leave it alone. If the soreness, aches, or a low fever make you uncomfortable, take one medicine at the dose on its label. The CDC guidance does not set a waiting time after the shot before you can take it.
- Advil and Motrin are ibuprofen, an NSAID. It eases pain and lowers fever.
- Tylenol is acetaminophen. It also eases pain and lowers fever.
- Start with one. If it helps, there is no need to add the other.
Why shouldn't I take ibuprofen before my flu shot?
The CDC says taking pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen before or at the time of vaccination, to prevent side effects, is not recommended. It gives 2 reasons. There is no evidence they reduce the pain of the injection. And some studies have suggested these medicines might weaken the immune response to some vaccines.
The CDC says these medicines "might" weaken the response, so this is a possible effect, not a proven one. Since taking a pill ahead of time has no proven benefit for the pain of the shot, the simple rule is: wait and see how you feel, then treat side effects if they show up.
This advice is about taking a pain reliever just to head off side effects. If you take a medicine every day for another condition, do not stop it on your own. Ask the clinician who prescribed it, or the person giving your shot.
What side effects are normal, and how long do they last?
The CDC lists these common side effects of the flu shot. They are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. The NHS says the most common ones get better within 1 to 2 days.
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where you got the shot
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Fainting can happen with any injection, including the flu shot. This is why the CDC advises giving shots while you sit or lie down, and tells vaccinators to strongly consider watching you for 15 minutes afterward. Tell the staff if you feel dizzy, have vision changes, or have ringing in your ears.
How do I take ibuprofen or Tylenol safely after the shot?
Follow the label on the box. These are the adult doses for 2 common products.
- Advil tablets (200 mg), adults and children 12 and older: 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms last. If 1 tablet does not help, 2 tablets may be used. No more than 6 tablets in 24 hours unless a doctor tells you to.
- Tylenol Extra Strength (500 mg), adults and children 12 and older: 2 caplets every 6 hours while symptoms last. No more than 6 caplets in 24 hours unless a doctor tells you to.
- Watch for hidden acetaminophen. The Tylenol label warns that severe liver damage may occur if you take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours, take it with other drugs that contain acetaminophen, or have 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day while using it. Check the Drug Facts box of any other medicine you take for acetaminophen.
- Children under 12: the Advil label says to ask a doctor. Use a product made for children and ask your child's doctor or pharmacist what dose to give.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911The CDC says flu shot side effects are generally mild and usually go away on their own within a few days. If you have a reaction that worries you but is not an emergency, the CDC says to call your doctor.
Stop the pain reliever and ask a doctor if fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days, or pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days. The Advil and Tylenol labels both say so.
Stop ibuprofen and ask a doctor if you feel faint, vomit blood, have bloody or black stools, or have stomach pain that does not get better. The Advil label lists these as signs of stomach bleeding.
Ibuprofen can cause a severe allergic reaction, especially in people allergic to aspirin. If that happens, stop it and get medical help right away.
Call 911 and get to the nearest hospital for signs of a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine: trouble breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, swelling around the eyes or lips, hives, paleness, weakness, or a fast heartbeat or dizziness. The CDC says these would most likely start within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot.
If you took more acetaminophen than the label allows, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get medical help right away, even if you feel fine.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›Who should check before taking ibuprofen?
The flu shot is not the issue here. The question is whether ibuprofen is right for you in general. The Advil label says to ask a doctor before use if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, asthma, or have had a stroke.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take aspirin for heart attack or stroke, because ibuprofen may reduce that benefit of aspirin. The label also warns that ibuprofen may cause severe stomach bleeding, with higher risk if you are 60 or older, have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems, or take a blood thinner or steroid. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a health professional first, and do not use ibuprofen in the last 3 months of pregnancy unless a doctor tells you to.
For Tylenol, the label says to ask a doctor first if you have liver disease, and to ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take the blood thinner warfarin.
Common questions
Can I take ibuprofen after a flu shot?
Yes. The CDC says pain relievers can be used to treat fever and injection-site pain after vaccination. Take it only if you need it, at the label dose, and check first if you have heart, kidney, or stomach problems or take aspirin for your heart.
Can I take Tylenol before my flu shot?
The CDC does not recommend taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen before or at the time of a shot to prevent side effects. There is no evidence it reduces injection pain, and some studies suggest it might weaken the immune response to some vaccines. Wait and treat side effects if they happen.
How long does a sore arm last after a flu shot?
Usually 1 to 2 days, per the NHS. The CDC says flu shot side effects generally go away on their own within a few days. If a reaction worries you, call your doctor.
Is it better to take Advil or Tylenol after a flu shot?
Either can treat a sore arm, aches, or fever, and the CDC guidance does not prefer one. Ask first before ibuprofen if you have kidney or heart disease, have had stomach ulcers, or are pregnant. Ask first before acetaminophen if you have liver disease, and know that 3 or more drinks a day raises its risk of liver damage.
Will ibuprofen after the flu shot make it work less?
The CDC says some studies have suggested pain relievers might suppress the immune response to some vaccines, and it advises against taking them before or at the time of the shot. It also says they can be used to treat fever and injection-site pain that happen afterward. If you are not uncomfortable, you do not need to take anything.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.