How many hours should you wait before taking more ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It’s typically taken to help ease symptoms like pain, inflammation, and fever.

Ibuprofen is sold under the brand names Advil, Motrin, and Midol, among others.

This drug works by inhibiting an enzyme that helps produce compounds called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are associated with pain and inflammation in the body.

But how long do the effects of ibuprofen take to work? And what dosage is both safe and effective?

Generally it takes about 30 minutes for you to begin feeling the effects of ibuprofen. However, this timeframe can vary from one person to the next, and for different reasons.

When ibuprofen begins to work, you’ll typically start to notice a decrease in pain or fever. The anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen usually take longer — sometimes a week or more.

Ibuprofen levels in your bloodstream are estimated to be at their maximum level after 1 to 2 hours.

However, ibuprofen is quickly cleared from your body. This is one of the reasons why — depending on the condition that’s being treated — you may need to take a dose every few hours.

The timing of ibuprofen levels appear to be similar in children. Younger children may clear ibuprofen from their system faster than adults.

Some people may experience symptom relief quickly while others find that it takes longer. This is because various factors can impact how long a drug takes to work.

Some factors that may affect how quickly ibuprofen takes to work for you include:

• the dosage that’s taken
• your weight
• your age
• your overall health
• if you have food in your stomach
• whether or not other drugs are taken at the same time

Over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen is typically available in 200-milligram (mg) pills.

It’s best to use the minimum dosage necessary to relieve your symptoms. Typically, one ibuprofen pill is taken by mouth every 4 to 6 hours. If one pill doesn’t work to ease symptoms, a second pill can be taken.

Don’t take more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in one day. For OTC ibuprofen, this equates to a maximum of 6 pills per day.

Additionally, avoid taking ibuprofen for longer than 10 days, unless directed to do so by your doctor.

A common side effect of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is an upset stomach. Because of this, it may be helpful to take ibuprofen with food or milk.

Dosage for children

Ibuprofen can be given to children as a liquid solution, chewable tablet, or pill. Which form is recommended will depend on the child’s age.

The dosage of ibuprofen in children under age 12 is based on the child’s body weight.

If your child needs to take ibuprofen, ask their pediatrician for the recommended dosage and how often it needs to be taken.

Ibuprofen isn’t the only type of NSAID available. There are other options you can try if you’re unsure about taking ibuprofen.

In addition to ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen (Aleve) are also available over the counter. Remember that aspirin should never be given to children and adolescents due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Some NSAIDs are only available with a prescription. A few examples of these include:

• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• diclofenac (Voltaren)
• feneoprofen (Nalfon)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• ketorolac (Toradol)

If you’re not sure which NSAID is right for you, talk to your doctor. Based on your medical history and current medications, your doctor can recommend an NSAID that’s safe and appropriate for you to take.

Ibuprofen can be taken to help ease symptoms like pain, inflammation, and fever.

While the amount of time it takes for ibuprofen to work can vary, it usually takes about half an hour to start feeling symptom relief.

Adults can take a dose of OTC ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours. When taking ibuprofen, be sure not to exceed the maximum daily dosage or to take it for more than 10 days. Dosing for children depends on body weight.

Ibuprofen may not be recommended if you have certain health conditions or are taking specific medications. If you have questions or concerns about taking ibuprofen, speak with your doctor.

QUESTION & ANSWER Q: How often can you take 800 mg ibuprofen?

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A:

The maximum daily dosage of ibuprofen is 3200 mg. This translates to 800 mg four times a day, taken every six hours. If stomach upset occurs, take each ibuprofen dose with milk or food. In general, it’s best to use the lowest effective dose of ibuprofen for the shortest duration of time.

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