Can I buy Advil with HSA?

Asked by: Celia McCullough  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (67 votes)

FSA and HSA Frequently Asked Questions All Advil products are currently eligible for purchase through your FSA. Can HSA be used for OTC drugs? Yes, you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to purchase over-the-counter drugs without a prescription from your physician. Use your HSA for all Advil products.

Can you buy pain relievers with HSA?

What can I buy with my HSA or FSA in 2025? The IRS expanded the list* to include OTC products such as pain reliever, face masks and cold and flu medicine. (* Over-the-counter products were added by the CARES Act, March 2020).

What OTC medications are HSA-eligible?

Those types of medications include:
  • Cold, cough, and flu medicine.
  • Heartburn medications.
  • Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Allergy and sinus medicine.
  • Digestive aids and laxatives.
  • Baby rash ointments and creams.
  • Baby electrolytes.
  • Sleep aids.

Can you use a HSA card for Tylenol?

Antacids such as Tums or Prilosec are eligible OTC items when accompanied by a prescription from a doctor. Analgesics (e.g. Advil, Aspirin, Tylenol) are eligible with a prescription from a doctor.

Can you use an HSA to pay for medications?

Along with prescription drugs, your HSA covers eligible medical expenses as defined by the IRS, including: medical care. vision and dental care expenses, plus hearing aids.

What Can I Buy with My HSA?

19 related questions found

Can HSA pay for gym membership?

Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.

What can I not buy with HSA?

Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.

Can I pay for Advil with HSA?

FSA and HSA Frequently Asked Questions

All Advil products are currently eligible for purchase through your FSA. Can HSA be used for OTC drugs? Yes, you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to purchase over-the-counter drugs without a prescription from your physician. Use your HSA for all Advil products.

Can I buy vitamins with HSA?

In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.

Can I buy tampons with HSA?

Yes! Thanks to the CARES Act, tampons are now considered a “medical expense.” That means you can use pre-tax income to pay for them through your HSA. More questions about tampons?

Is Aleve HSA eligible?

Common OTC pain medications that you can buy with your HSA funds include: Advil. Anacin. Aleve.

Can I buy condoms with HSA?

The answer is yes! HSAs are designed to cover a wide range of qualified medical expenses, and contraceptives such as condoms are no exception. Just like other eligible healthcare expenses, you can use your HSA funds to purchase condoms, whether they are over-the-counter or prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Can I buy bandaids with HSA?

OTC items include, but are not limited to band aids, bandages and wraps, braces and supports, catheters, contact lens solutions and supplies, contraceptives and family planning items, denture adhesives, diagnostic tests and monitors, diabetic supplies and testing, first aid supplies, peroxide, and rubbing alcohol.

Why is ibuprofen not FSA eligible?

Ibuprofen is eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Ibuprofen is not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).

Is deep cleaning for teeth HSA eligible?

Teeth cleaning is considered a preventative service, which is covered by HSAs and medical FSAs. Using your HSA or FSA to pay for teeth cleaning can be a smart way to maximize your healthcare dollars while taking care of your oral health.

Can you pay for cold medicine with HSA?

Earlier this year, the CARES Act was passed, which made over-the-counter medication HSA-eligible medical expenses. These include things like pain relievers, fever reducers, cough meds, antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, nasal rinses, humidifiers, and more.

Can I buy Tylenol with HSA?

A: Yes, you can. The rules on this have changed over time. As of 2011, the ACA prohibited the purchase of over-the-counter medications with health savings account (HSA) funds, unless a doctor wrote a prescription for them. But Section 4402 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act changed that.

Can you use HSA for gym membership?

Gym memberships are generally not considered qualified medical expenses under IRS guidelines. While physical fitness is important, gym memberships are typically viewed as personal or recreational expenses rather than a medical necessity. So using HSA funds for them could result in taxes and penalties.

Is deodorant HSA eligible?

Deodorant reimbursement is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

Can you buy shampoo with HSA?

While some exceptions may vary, shampoo is generally not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can I use HSA to buy vitamins?

You want to be careful when trying to buy vitamins with your FSA or HSA. They are not always deemed a qualified expense. If your vitamins are not prescribed by a healthcare professional or used to treat a specific condition, your purchase most likely won't be FSA or HSA eligible.

Can HSA pay for massage?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.

Is it illegal to use HSA money for anything?

You generally can't use HSA funds to pay premiums. Once you turn 65, you can use the money in your HSA for anything you want. If you don't use it for qualified medical expenses, it counts as income when you file your taxes.

Can I use HSA for glasses?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)