Pharmacology and Pathophysiology: Hypertension, Allergies, Burns, and Hair Disorders Practice Test

Mixing two common pain relievers each has their own organ-specific risks, and the combination brings attention to the organs most affected by each drug. Acetaminophen can cause serious liver injury when taken in overdose or when the daily limit is exceeded. Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, can reduce kidney blood flow and function, especially in people who are dehydrated, have preexisting kidney disease, are elderly, or take other nephrotoxic medications. When used together, the potential for liver damage from acetaminophen and kidney damage from ibuprofen becomes a real safety concern, particularly if dosing isn’t carefully controlled or if there are underlying health issues.

Stomach ulcers are a known risk with ibuprofen, but that risk is more about NSAID use in general than about the specific combination with acetaminophen. Vision problems are not a typical or direct consequence of taking these two drugs together. Increased blood pressure can occur with NSAIDs in some individuals, but it isn’t the most specific or defining risk of combining these two medications.

So the best answer highlights the distinct organ toxicities associated with each drug—liver damage from acetaminophen and kidney damage from ibuprofen—when they’re used together.