Can you take ibuprofen and melatonin together?

Two common yet distinct over-the-counter purchases at the pharmacy are melatonin and ibuprofen. Melatonin is a generic sleep aid supplement that promotes improved sleep patterns by adjusting the body’s circadian rhythm, or sleep-wake cycle. Ibuprofen, on the other hand, is a generic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that’s used to treat pain from various conditions. It’s also known by its brand names, Advil and Motrin.

While melatonin and ibuprofen are primarily known for having different benefits, some may want to take them both. For example, after shift work or because of jet lag, individuals may feel achy or struggle to fall asleep at an unusual time. 

Can melatonin and ibuprofen be taken together? The short answer is yes, but there is a disclaimer: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can lower levels of melatonin secretion in the blood and alter body temperature by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis when compared with a placebo, especially at night.

More concerning, though, is the use of melatonin with steroids, immunosuppressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants, and blood pressure medications. Melatonin can reduce their effectiveness.

Can you take ibuprofen with melatonin?

Generally speaking, it’s okay to combine melatonin with ibuprofen.

“Melatonin and ibuprofen can generally be taken together without significant interactions, but it’s always best to consult with your doctor before combining multiple medications or supplements,” says Michael Green, MD, chief medical officer and co-founder of Winona. 

As mentioned above, just be aware that NSAIDs can suppress melatonin production. A study in Physiology & Behavior found this side effect when testing it out on 75 subjects.

However, the interactions between melatonin and ibuprofen aren’t all bad. Taking ibuprofen with melatonin can have benefits. They are sometimes used together, particularly for people who struggle to sleep due to pain. Ibuprofen helps with the pain, and melatonin works to improve sleep quality. 

“Sometimes, a doctor might suggest using them together if someone has trouble sleeping because of pain, but it’s best to ask your doctor for advice before trying it yourself,” says Raj Dasgupta, MD, chief medical advisor for Sleep Advisor.

Melatonin supplements can help with pain in a way. “There is some research suggesting that melatonin might also have anti-inflammatory properties, which could complement ibuprofen’s effects on reducing inflammation,” Dr. Green adds.

Is it safe to take ibuprofen and melatonin?

While combining ibuprofen and melatonin can be helpful, Dr. Green clarifies that doing so carries some risk. “Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal irritation, ulcers, and bleeding, particularly when taken at high doses or for prolonged periods,” he says. “Combining it with melatonin doesn’t reduce these risks.”

Further, he explains that both ibuprofen and melatonin can interact with other medications or supplements that a person might take, so it is best to get individualized medical advice beforehand.

Drugs that can interact with melatonin include anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, herbs, supplements, anticonvulsants, blood pressure drugs, central nervous system depressants, diabetes medications, contraceptives, cytochrome P450 1A2 substrates, cytochrome P450 2C19 substrates, fluvoxamine, immunosuppressants, and seizure threshold-lowering drugs.

It’s also important to note that taking birth control pills and melatonin together may have adverse effects, such as headaches, extra daytime sleepiness, and dizziness. Additionally, taking warfarin (a blood clot medication) and melatonin together has a moderate risk, as melatonin can increase the side effects of warfarin. These are only a couple of examples.

As a supplement, melatonin isn’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Dasgupta adds, and one of the effects of melatonin is its likelihood of causing drowsiness. Those are a couple of factors to be aware of, too.

But can a person take too much melatonin? Significant toxicity of melatonin, or a melatonin overdose, is unlikely. At the same time, it’s best to take the amount that a healthcare provider suggests, usually one to five milligrams of melatonin per night.

When it comes to ibuprofen drug interactions, the list from the Mayo Clinic is quite lengthy. Some examples include aspirin, SSRIs, lithium, and diuretics. Take note of any gastrointestinal or kidney problems before taking ibuprofen, too. “I would be careful taking ibuprofen if you have underlying kidney disease or have issues with gastritis or ulcers in the stomach or small intestine,” Dr. Dasgupta says.

Further, he encourages people to remain upright after taking it. “I would also recommend not lying down for 10 to 20 minutes after taking ibuprofen since this will help prevent gastrointestinal irritation and possible swallowing problems,” he adds.

Ibuprofen may also interact negatively with more drugs than Tylenol (acetaminophen) does.

Does spacing them out make a difference when taking ibuprofen and melatonin together? How long after taking ibuprofen can someone then take melatonin? Dr. Green says people might want to consider the timing, but it’s not necessarily the primary concern.

“There’s no specific waiting period required between taking melatonin and ibuprofen; however, if you’re concerned about potential interactions, spacing them out by a few hours might be worthwhile,” Dr. Green says. 

Ultimately, he recommends following the dosing instructions provided by a healthcare provider or as listed on the label. 

Dr. Dasgupta largely agrees. “There’s no need to wait between them as they are used to address different concerns,” he says. “Bottom line is to follow the recommended doses and talk to a doctor if you’re unsure or have any concerns.”

The role of ibuprofen and melatonin in treating certain medical conditions 

As explained above, combining ibuprofen and melatonin supplements can be helpful in the treatment of some sleep disorders and pain conditions, as sleep disturbances and pain are closely linked.

Pain can be a cause and an effect of insufficient sleep, as noted in a Neuropsychopharmacology study. One way in which this happens is sleep deprivation can lead to inflammation, which can increase the risk of pain. 

Fibromyalgia, persistent back pain, and the pain from cancer treatment are all linked to sleep issues, the Cleveland Clinic notes—and they’re far from the only examples. Further, up to two-thirds of people with chronic pain conditions also have a sleep condition.

That’s where melatonin comes in. Increasing melatonin levels can also help with sleep and the pain (or inflammation) part. Melatonin possesses anti-inflammatory effects. It can improve the course of inflammation-related illnesses and traumatic central nervous system (CNS) injuries, such as traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Other pieces of research support the helpfulness of melatonin in these situations. For example, a BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology study found that melatonin can reduce pain.

Taking ibuprofen and melatonin shouldn’t cause any significant damage to the bank. With SingleCare’s prescription discount card, consumers can get both for less than $6.

Natural ibuprofen alternatives to take with melatonin

Natural alternatives for pain relief are an option, too. Examples include meditation practices, yoga, and deep breathing, for starters.

According to Dr. Green, valerian root, turmeric, ginger, magnesium, and chamomile flower are also safe to take with ibuprofen. He says valerian root, magnesium, and chamomile can help with mental and physical relaxation and sleep. At the same time, turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce pain.

Dr. Dasgupta believes there’s insufficient evidence to support turmeric and ginger for pain relief. Still, he has heard anecdotal evidence that turmeric is helping people.“Others, like valerian root, magnesium, and lavender oil, are also reported to help with sleep, but it’s crucial to talk to your doctor before trying them, especially if you’re on other medications,” he says.

RELATED: 13 home remedies for pain relief

The bottom line

It’s generally safe to take ibuprofen with melatonin. Taking the two together can even be helpful for pain that inhibits sleep since they both reduce inflammation.

The main thing to be aware of when pairing the two is how ibuprofen can reduce melatonin levels in the blood. This may mean taking extra melatonin or being aware of this possible side effect.

Most importantly, though, always talk to a healthcare provider before taking either of these medications, as they can interact with other medicines, supplements, and health conditions.