How much ibuprofen can I take?
The bottom line
Ibuprofen is a pain medication available both over-the-counter and by prescription. It works by blocking substances produced by the body that stimulate pain and inflammation. While generally considered safe with routine use, ibuprofen increases the risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding, and kidney problems.
Prevention Tips
Always store medicines away from and out of sight of children.
Use measuring spoons or syringes to give ibuprofen liquid, as they are more accurate than household spoons.
Do not take more ibuprofen than recommended or combine ibuprofen with other NSAIDs, like naproxen.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can take ibuprofen safely with other medications you are on.
People with kidney problems, poorly controlled blood pressure, heart failure, and those with a history of bleeding problems should talk to their physician before taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen should not be taken in the later stages of pregnancy.
This Really Happened
Case 1: A 2-year-old girl drank approximately 3 oz of over-the-counter ibuprofen suspension. Her mother called their poison center, who determined that based on the girl’s weight, it would be safe to observe her at home. The child only developed a stomachache, which lasted a few hours and got better after she was given something to eat. No serious symptoms occurred.
Case 2: A 68-year-old woman with high blood pressure fractured her ankle. She began taking over-the-counter ibuprofen but her ankle was hurting badly, so she took 2 to 3 times the recommended dose. She went to the emergency department because she had dark urine and was making less urine than usual. Her doctor found that her kidneys were not working well, likely because she had taken too much ibuprofen and because of an interaction with her blood pressure medication, lisinopril. Both medications were stopped, and her kidney function normalized after 1 week.
Case 3: A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department vomiting dark brown material that looked like coffee grounds. He had torn his rotator cuff 3 weeks prior and had been taking 2 times the prescribed dose of ibuprofen while awaiting surgery. In the emergency department, they found he had anemia and was bleeding from somewhere in his intestines. He was admitted to the hospital and given a blood transfusion and stomach ulcer medications, and an endoscopy was performed. The gastroenterologist found a bleeding ulcer in his stomach. They stopped the ibuprofen and continued medications to help manage his stomach acid and he made a full recovery.
Case 4: A 19-year-old woman intentionally took at least half a bottle of ibuprofen that contained 500 tablets in a suicide attempt. Her family brought her to the emergency department when they found her. Initially, she had some abdominal pain and vomiting, and while she was in the emergency department she became so sleepy that she needed a breathing tube and a ventilator. She was in the intensive care unit for a couple of days and had an injury to her kidneys, but went on to recover fully after a week in the hospital.
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What are Advil® and Motrin®? What are they used for?
Advil® and Motrin® are common brand names for ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain, inflammation, and fever by blocking the production of prostaglandins. Ibuprofen can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including headache, arthritis, body aches, toothache, menstrual cramps, and fever. It can also be used to treat sprains, strains, fractures, and post-operative pain. It can be used alone or in combination with other pain medication.
How much ibuprofen can I take? How often can I take it?
In adults, the prescription dose of ibuprofen is 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 600 to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed, with a maximum dose of 3200 mg per day. The over-the-counter ibuprofen dose is 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 1200 mg per day. Dosing for children is based on weight. Refer to the product label or the doctor’s instructions for dosing in children. Ibuprofen should not be taken for longer than 10 days unless directed by a physician.
What are the side effects of ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and intestinal bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding problems or are on other blood thinners. Ibuprofen can also cause kidney problems, particularly in combination with other medicines that affect the kidney, such as diuretics (i.e., water pills) and blood pressure pills. Other milder side effects include drowsiness, abdominal discomfort, and constipation. Ibuprofen can cause allergic reactions, such as rash, wheezing, and—rarely—anaphylaxis. While allergies to ibuprofen are more common in people who have an aspirin allergy, many people who are allergic to aspirin can take ibuprofen without a problem.
Acetaminophen vs. ibuprofen vs. naproxen: What are the differences?
Naproxen and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs, but naproxen lasts longer than ibuprofen. Ibuprofen’s effects last around 4 to 6 hours compared to 8 to 12 hours for naproxen. Acetaminophen also works in the body to decrease the formation of prostaglandins to relieve pain and fever like NSAIDs, but acetaminophen does not work as well for inflammation. Acetaminophen is less likely to cause problems with bleeding, stomach ulcers, and kidneys than NSAIDs.
Can you take Tylenol® (i.e., acetaminophen) and ibuprofen together?
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used together for the treatment of pain. The combined use of acetaminophen and ibuprofen—or alternating these two drugs for treating fever in children—may be required for fever control, but must be done carefully to avoid medication errors. Most pediatricians suggest not treating a fever unless the temperature is higher than 101o F. Start with 1 medication and only add the second if the child is very uncomfortable or fever control is not achieved with 1. If 2 drugs are required, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be alternated every 3 to 4 hours.
Ibuprofen contraindications: Can you take ibuprofen with blood pressure medications?
Ibuprofen causes small increases in blood pressure in people with hypertension, even if they are being treated with blood pressure medication. It is generally safe to take low doses of ibuprofen for a few days if hypertensive or being treated for high blood pressure. Consult your physician if higher doses are needed over long periods. NSAIDs like ibuprofen can cause problems in people with high blood pressure and congestive heart failure because they can cause the kidneys to retain salt and water. Ibuprofen can also interact with aspirin and platelet medications given to people following a heart attack. There is also an increased risk of bleeding in these cases.
Can you take ibuprofen while pregnant?
While there is no definitive evidence that ibuprofen given early in pregnancy causes fetal harm, other medications, such as acetaminophen, are considered safer in pregnancy. Ibuprofen should be avoided later in pregnancy because it can cause problems with the baby’s heart and lungs as they adapt to breathing outside of the womb.
I took naproxen and ibuprofen together: What should I do?
It is not advised to take ibuprofen and naproxen together because they are both NSAIDs, which increases the risk of side effects. Seek medical attention if you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, or experience other signs or symptoms such as dizziness; red or black tarry stools; or coughing or vomiting fresh or dried blood. Dried blood might look like coffee grounds.
If you take too much ibuprofen or experience adverse or unexpected symptoms, use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get immediate help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
