Categories: Health

Ibuprofen Dosage: A Guide on How Much to Take

Ibuprofen, also often known as Advil or Motrin, is among the many first-line drugs of selection to cut back pain and fever. It belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class.

Ibuprofen might be used to treat pain and inflammation related to arthritis, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), muscle aches, and backaches. It can also be used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold. Ibuprofen is out there in prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and even combination products with other medicines.

However, knowing how much ibuprofen you’ll be able to take for a selected condition is very important for ensuring you get the specified effects while taking it safely. The usual adult dose ranges between 1200 milligrams (mg) and 3200 mg divided in 4 to 6 doses day by day.

The article will discuss different dosage forms, uses, and appropriate doses for adults and kids for various conditions.

Getty Images / Grace Cary


Ibuprofen Dosage Forms & Strengths

Prescription ibuprofen is available in tablet form and suspension (liquid) for oral use. Nonprescription ibuprofen comes in:

  • Oral tablets
  • Chewable tablets
  • Capsules
  • Gel capsules
  • Suspension (liquid)
  • Drops (concentrated liquid)

Ibuprofen can also be available as a mix medicine with other drugs, reminiscent of Advil PM (diphenhydramine and ibuprofen) and Duexis (famotidine and ibuprofen).

Ibuprofen is out there in numerous strengths, including 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg capsules, suspensions, and tablets.

How Much Ibuprofen Can I Take In One Dose?

The maximum single dose of ibuprofen for adults ranges from 200 mg to 800 mg.

The dose in children is calculated as required depending on the body weight. The maximum really helpful dose is 40 mg/kg.

How Much Ibuprofen Can I Take In One Day?

An adult dose is 200 to 400 mg per dose every 4 to 6 hours. The dose and frequency of ibuprofen intake needs to be adjusted in accordance with the person’s needs and response to medicine. However, don’t exceed a complete day by day dose of 3200 mg.

Can I Take Ibuprofen and Tylenol Together?

Ibuprofen and Tylenol (acetaminophen) are amongst probably the most widely used analgesics (pain relievers). Low doses of every medicine may offer greater efficacy without compromising safety.

In some people, the really helpful doses of those medicines don’t completely relieve pain. Increasing the really helpful dose provides less analgesic effect and the next risk of unwanted side effects.

However, combining ibuprofen and Tylenol could also be advantageous for treating acute pain within the OTC setting. They provide pain-relieving effects through different mechanisms of motion and, due to this fact, should not have any drug-drug interactions when used together.

A Guide to Ibuprofen Dosage

Generally, ibuprofen is prescribed or used OTC three or 4 times a day every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain in adults and kids above 12 years.

Children below 12 and infants may normally be given nonprescription ibuprofen every six to eight hours as needed for pain in 24 hours.

However, don’t take ibuprofen greater than 4 to 6 times in 24 hours.

The table below provides a general overview of various doses for a condition.

Ibuprofen Dose
Condition Dose in Adults Dose in Children
Mild to moderate pain 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours, as needed. 10 mg/kg/day every six to eight hours as much as 40 mg/kg/day as needed
For osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis 1200 mg as much as 3200 mg per day divided into three or 4 equal doses 30 mg/kg/day to 40 mg/kg/day divided into three to 4 doses as needed
Dysmenorrhea 400 mg every 4 hours as needed
Fever 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours, as needed The dose have to be determined by a healthcare provider based on body weight calculation. The usual dose is 5 mg/kg/day to 10 mg/kg/day

Arthritis Pain

The really helpful dose for arthritis in adults is 1200 mg to 3200 mg day by day (400 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg three to 4 times a day).

The dose adjustment is in accordance with an individual’s individual needs. It might be increased or decreased depending on the severity of symptoms and response to the drug. People with rheumatoid arthritis normally require higher doses of ibuprofen tablets than do individuals with osteoarthritis.

In case of mild to moderate pain, 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours is essential for pain relief.

Period Cramps

For the treatment of dysmenorrhea, the initial dose starts at 400 mg every 4 hours as essential for the relief of pain.

Dosing in Children and Adolescents

General dosing guidelines in children include:

  • Fever and mild to moderate pain: 5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg in children aged six months to 2 every 6 to eight hours. The really helpful maximum day by day dose is 40 mg/kg.
  • Juvenile arthritis: The really helpful dose is 30 mg/kg/day to 40 mg/kg/day, divided into three to 4 doses. For mild pain, the initial dose could also be 20 mg/kg/day.

The dose adjustment is determined by body weight in children and adolescents taking a prescription ibuprofen product. A healthcare provider might help determine probably the most suitable dose to your child.

When taking an OTC ibuprofen product, read the package fastidiously. Always make sure you’re giving the proper product for a selected indication and the fitting dose that matches the kid’s age on the label.

When giving suspension, shake the liquid well before each use. Use the measuring cup or device provided to measure each suspension dose.

Stop giving nonprescription ibuprofen to your child in the event that they don’t begin to feel higher throughout the first 24 hours of treatment. Call a healthcare provider in case your child develops latest symptoms, including redness or swelling on the painful a part of his body, or if the pain or fever worsens or lasts longer than three days.

When Are Dosage Adjustments Needed?

Ibuprofen is one of the vital widely used NSAIDs. It is protected and effective when utilized in really helpful doses. However, some pre-existing conditions require the dose adjustment or discontinuation of therapy to avoid opposed effects.

Tell your healthcare provider before using ibuprofen products if you’ve got:

Stop taking ibuprofen and call your healthcare provider for those who develop any of the next symptoms:

  • Symptoms of a cardiovascular thrombotic event, reminiscent of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, or slurred speech
  • Symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding or an ulcer, reminiscent of pain or discomfort within the upper abdomen, indigestion, dark stools, or vomiting blood
  • Serious skin reactions, reminiscent of a rash or blisters, together with a fever
  • Symptoms of liver toxicity, reminiscent of nausea, fatigue, jaundice, and flu-like symptoms
  • Symptoms of heart failure or edema, including shortness of breath, unexplained weight gain, or swelling

Use in Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

It shouldn’t be really helpful to take ibuprofen around 20 weeks or later while pregnant. It may harm the fetus and cause problems with delivery.

Do not take ibuprofen around or after 20 weeks of pregnancy without asking your healthcare provider. If you turn into pregnant while taking ibuprofen or breastfeeding, call your healthcare provider. Tylenol is usually the popular alternative while pregnant.

Kidney or Liver Problems

Nearly 15% of individuals taking ibuprofen therapy show an elevation in liver function tests. People with liver disease require regular liver function tests once they are receiving ibuprofen. Ibuprofen-induced hepatitis can result in fatality.

Ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage. People with kidney problems and other people over the age of 65 are at greater risk.

Can You Overdose on Ibuprofen?

Taking a medication at its really helpful dose is mandatory for its proper use. Overusing any medicine can result in severe and sometimes dangerous opposed effects.

Ibuprofen overdose is frequently not fatal.

An ibuprofen overdose may cause symptoms reminiscent of:

  • Drowsiness
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Fast eye movements that you simply cannot control
  • Lips, mouth, and nose turning blue
  • Nausea
  • Slow or difficult respiratory
  • Stomach pain
  • Vomiting

Call 911 or the Poison Control Center if an individual has:

  • Collapsed
  • Seizure
  • Shortness of breath or trouble respiratory
  • Chest pain
  • Slurred speech
  • Swelling of the face or throat
  • Weakness in a single part or side of your body

Summary

Ibuprofen is a commonly used NSAID that reduces pain and inflammation related to various conditions. It is out there in prescription and OTC for adults and kids. Ibuprofen can also be available as a mix medicine with other drugs.

The maximum day by day dose for adults ranges from 200 to 800 mg every 4 to 6 hours day by day as required, nevertheless it mustn’t exceed 3200 mg per day.

When using ibuprofen in children, read the prescription label or patient information leaflet for OTC products. Never give greater than really helpful. The dose of ibuprofen in children is determined by age and body weight. The maximum day by day dose in children mustn’t exceed 40 mg/kg/day.

Usually, ibuprofen shouldn’t be toxic; nonetheless, call healthcare providers in case of an overdose to avoid potentially harmful effects.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts inside our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. National Institutes of Health. DailyMed. Label: Ibuprofen tablet film-coated

  2. Medline Plus. Ibuprofen.

  3. National Institutes of Health. DailyMed. Label: Ibuprofen 200- ibuprofen tablet, film coated.

  4. National Institutes of Health. DailyMed. Label: Ibuprofen tablet.

  5. National Institutes of Health. DailyMed. Label: Ibuprofen suspension.

  6. Moore RA, Wiffen PJ, Derry S, et al. Non‐prescription (otc) oral analgesics for acute pain ‐ an summary of Cochrane reviews. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(11):CD010794. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010794.pub2

  7. Kellstein D, Leyva R. Evaluation of fixed-dose mixtures of ibuprofen and acetaminophen within the treatment of postsurgical dental pain: a pilot, dose-ranging, randomized study. Drugs R D. 2020;20(3):237-247. doi:10.1007/s40268-020-00310-7

By Ayesha Gulzar, PharmD

Ayesha Gulzar is a clinical pharmacist serious about medical research, pharmacy practice, and drugs therapy management. Dr. Gulzar has been working in medical communications, writing medical and clinical research for patients and health professionals within the United Kingdom.

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