How much advil is safe to take

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Aug 23, 2019

Announcer: "Health Hacks" with Dr. Troy Madsen on The Scope.

Dr. Madsen: Today's health hack is avoiding the side effects from Ibuprofen while still getting the maximum effect from the medication. So, if you've ever taken Ibuprofen, you've probably heard take 600 milligrams or 3 of the regular strength over-the-counter Ibuprofen, take it every 4 to 6 hours. Well, you're probably taking too much Ibuprofen and you're not doing it to really provide a lot of benefit for your pain.

So studies that had been done, there have been studies in patients who are postoperative, also patients with dental pain, and they looked at 400 milligrams of Ibuprofen versus 600 milligrams, so just two of the regular strength tablets. They found that that 400 milligrams had the exact same effect on pain as the 600 milligram. And even then, they found that that 400 milligrams 3 times a day was the max effect. You're talking just every eight hours.

If you're someone who you're saying, "Wow, I hurt. I'm going to take 600 milligrams of Ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours," so you're taking that dose maybe 4 or 5 times a day. You're not getting a lot of benefit from that additional Ibuprofen. And the big thing you set yourself up for is stomach irritation. It can lead to ulcers. It can lead to bleeding sometimes. You could avoid it and just take 400 milligrams 3 times a day. That's the maximum effect for pain. Less is more especially when it comes to Ibuprofen.

Announcer: For more health hacks, check out thescoperadio.com, produced by University of Utah Health.

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Advil FAQs

Get answers to frequently asked questions about Advil products including uses, ingredients, dosing instructions, safety, side effects, interactions, and more.

Ibuprofen and COVID-19

• I recently read an article that said you shouldn’t take ibuprofen/Advil if you have coronavirus (COVID-19), is this true?

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently not aware of scientific evidence establishing a link between NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and worsening of COVID-19. We recommend you speak with your healthcare providers if you have any questions about the appropriate treatment for your unique individual needs when seeking to prevent or manage symptoms or conditions.

• Will taking ibuprofen/Advil mask the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  Ibuprofen, as well some other OTC analgesics may reduce fever due to their anti-pyretic properties. We advise you should speak directly with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions about your individual treatment needs.

• Will taking ibuprofen/Advil worsen the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  Research has been ongoing and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently not aware of scientific evidence establishing a link between NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) and worsening of COVID-19.

  When asked if Advil makes COVID-19 symptoms worse, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, responded, “no.” Read the full Aug. 13 article here: ABC News: Matthew McConaughey grills Dr. Anthony Fauci in Instagram interview on COVID-19.

  We advise you speak directly with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions about your individual treatment needs.

• Should I stop taking ibuprofen/Advil?

  At this time, the CDC and WHO among other health agencies do not recommend against the use of ibuprofen. Consumer safety is our number one priority, and we will continue to update this website with the latest information as it’s made available. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about the best treatment for your unique needs when seeking to prevent or manage symptoms or conditions.,

  Ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that has been used safely for many years as a fever and pain reducer. Our ibuprofen products are effectively used by millions of consumers across 40 markets and have been available as over-the-counter medicines for more than 35 years. All medicines are strictly regulated to ensure they comply with local healthcare authority requirements.

• What are GSK’s guidelines are regarding the use of Advil in patients with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  We recommend you speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the best treatment for your individual needs when seeking to prevent or manage symptoms or conditions. At this time, the CDC and WHO among other health agencies do not recommend against the use of ibuprofen.

• Is ibuprofen/Advil a medicine that can increase the risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19)?

  No, ibuprofen does not increase your risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19).

  As a leader in the OTC pain category, GSK Consumer Healthcare is committed to consumer safety, and we are constantly re-evaluating the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation alongside public health authorities. Based on currently available information, The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend against the use of ibuprofen, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is currently not aware of scientific evidence establishing a link between NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) and worsening of COVID 19.

  Consumer safety is our number one priority. Ibuprofen is a well-established medicine that has been used safely for many years as a fever and pain reducer. Our ibuprofen products are effectively used by millions of consumers across 40 markets and have been available as over-the-counter medicines for more than 35 years. All medicines are strictly regulated to ensure they comply with local healthcare authority requirements.

• What are health agencies saying about the safety of ibuprofen/Advil?

• What is GSK’s position regarding the use of Ibuprofen/Advil to help treat the symptoms of COVID-19?

  Ibuprofen is listed as an essential medicine in the WHO guidelines for treating pain and fever associated with mild COVID-19. (Clinical Management of COVID-19 Interim Guidance). The CDC, FDA and NIH continue to acknowledge the lack of scientific evidence connecting ibuprofen with worsening COVID-19. As always, we advise people speak directly with their doctor or healthcare provider regarding individual treatment needs.

• What are health agencies saying about the use of Ibuprofen/Advil to treat COVID-19 symptoms?

• Has GSK’s statement regarding the use of ibuprofen/Advil in patients with suspected COVID-19 changed?

  No, ibuprofen/Advil can be used safely and effectively to relieve pain and reduce fever in COVID-19 patients based on the growing body of evidence and general medical consensus.*

  *When used as directed

• Can I take ibuprofen/Advil if I am experiencing mild aches and pain following a COVID-19 vaccination?

   The CDC recommends talking to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen, for possible pain or discomfort from a COVID-19 vaccination.

Products

• Can I get samples of Advil?

  Talk to your doctor about getting samples of Advil. If you’re a healthcare provider, you can request samples of Advil for your patients, find coupons, and access data and other helpful resources here.

• What are the best options for over the counter pain relief?

  You have a lot of over-the-counter options when it comes to pain relief, which can be overwhelming. Your best option may depend on your specific pain needs and the advice of your doctor.

  However, it’s important to know the difference between Advil and other pain relievers. The pain ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen, which is part of a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs). When you take Advil you get relief right at the site of pain. Wherever it is, Advil stops pain right where it starts.

  The makers of Advil do not produce store brand ibuprofen pain medicine.

• What type of closure is on the bottle? Is it child-resistant?

  Advil products are available with child-resistant caps. For those who may suffer from joint pain, Advil Tablets and Advil Liqui-Gels are also available with a non-child resistant, Easy Open Arthritis Cap. Since it is easier to open, make sure to keep the Easy Open Arthritis Cap products out of reach from children.

• Are individual Advil packets available?

  Yes, travel-size Advil packs are available. Check out our Where to Buy page to find a store near you or where to buy Advil online.

• Is Advil an antihistamine?

  No. Single ingredient Advil products do not contain an antihistamine. The active ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen which is part of a class of drugs called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Check out the Ingredients section of this FAQ to learn more about what is in Advil. If you are interested in an antihistamine, check out our Advil Cold Allergy Products.

• Where can I find information about other Advil products?

• What does concentrated ibuprofen mean?

  Advil Liqui-Gels minis patented technology enables us to concentrate the powerful pain relief of Advil Liqui-Gels into a 33% smaller capsule. Advil Liqui-Gels minis don’t contain a special form of ibuprofen, just a more concentrated dosage form.

• Can I use an HSA or FSA to buy Advil products?

  You can use your HSA and FSA tax-preferred savings account to purchase certain OTC products including Advil. The passage of the CARES Act by Congress includes provisions to restore OTC eligibility under tax-preferred HSA and FSA accounts. Your plan details may vary, so save your receipt and check with your benefits or health provider for eligibility.

  Source: https://www.chpa.org/Monograph_FSA_CARES.aspx

Dosage

• How many Advil should I take?

• Can I take Advil every day?

  Advil should be used only as directed on the label. Stop taking Advil and talk to your doctor if your pain gets worse or lasts for more than 10 days, or if your fever gets worse or lasts for more than 3 days.

• Is it possible to overdose on Advil?

  When used as directed, it is not possible to overdose on Advil. Signs of overdose are known to occur at 40x the maximum daily dose (1200mg). This low toxicity profile makes Advil a safe and effective pain reliever for multiple aches and pains.

• What's the difference between OTC and RX adult dosage for Advil?

  RX ibuprofen (the active ingredient in Advil) has a higher dosage than OTC and must be prescribed by a doctor.

• Will the pain-relieving effect of Advil weaken with long-term use?

  No. While no studies have shown a tolerance build up (or weakening of pain relieving power), over-the-counter pain relievers (including Advil) should not be used for longer than 10 days unless directed by a physician.

Usages

• Can I take Advil for a cold or the flu?

  Yes, Advil offers a variety of treatment options depending on your cold and flu symptoms.

  Advil Tablets, Gel Caplets, Liqui-Gels and Liqui-Gels minis contain an active ingredient, called ibuprofen, which temporarily reduces fever, as well as relieves minor aches and pains due to the common cold.

  If you have additional symptoms, you can also consider using Advil Cold & Sinus and Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain products for additional relief. These products contain ibuprofen plus a nasal decongestant to provide relief for symptoms including: headache, fever, minor body aches and pains, sinus pressure, and nasal congestion.

  For further questions concerning your use of Advil products, please speak with a healthcare provider. If your symptoms continue to persist or get worse, please contact a physician immediately.

• What is Advil used for?

  Advil temporarily reduces fever and relieves minor aches and pains due to headaches, toothaches, backaches, menstrual cramps, the common cold, muscular aches and the minor pain of arthritis.

  Whether it’s joint pain, headache or minor arthritis, Advil is tough on pain, but gentle on your body.

  Learn More

• Can Advil be used to treat inflammation or swelling?

  No. The OTC dose in found in Advil products does not treat inflammation. However, Advil does relieve the pain associated with inflammation.

• Does Advil help you sleep?

  For sleeplessness associated with pain, check out Advil PM.

Comparisons

• What’s the difference between Tylenol and Advil?

  The pain reliever in all Advil products is ibuprofen which targets pain at the source. Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, blocks off pain signals. Advil Dual Action is first and only FDA approved combination of the two. It is also the only Advil product that contains acetaminophen. Read more

• Is Advil opioid free?

  Yes, Advil is opioid free. Advil (Ibuprofen) is a NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug) which treats acute pain and fever by blocking the formation of pain promoting chemicals at the source and is not addictive. Opioids, on the other hand, work on receptors in the brain to block the transmission of pain. They’re addictive and cause side effects like sedation and euphoria.

• What are the differences between prescription opioids and OTC pain relievers?

  Like the name implies, over-the-counter pain relievers can be bought without a prescription and are used to treat moderate pain and fever. Opioids are a different class of drug that treat severe or chronic pain and require a prescription from a doctor. If you want to learn about how Advil and opioids interact, click here.

Ingredients

• Does Advil contain sodium?

  Fast-acting Advil Film-Coated contains ibuprofen sodium-a salt form of ibuprofen that dissolves differently from standard ibuprofen. However, each tablet contains 22 mg of sodium. Even if the maximum daily dose is taken (6 tablets), the total amount of sodium ingested is only 132 mg. Per the FDA, the recommended daily value for sodium is less than 2,400 mg per day, although some people may need less due to health concerns. Speak with your doctor about your sodium intake.

  *"Sodium in Your Diet: Use the Nutrition Facts Label and Reduce Your Intake" retrieved from FDA.gov.

• Does Advil have caffeine?

  No. If pain is keeping you awake at night and you want a medication that can help you fall asleep, learn more about Advil PM.

• Is Advil gluten free?

  We cannot guarantee that Advil is gluten-free. Although gluten isn’t added to our products during manufacturing, we can’t control whether or not trace amounts of it end up in the raw materials we get from suppliers.

• What is ibuprofen?

  Ibuprofen is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). When your body is hurt or aching, it produces chemicals that trigger pain signals. Ibuprofen, the main ingredient in Advil, stops the production of these chemicals at the source of injury to reduce pain.

  Learn More

• What are NSAIDs?

  NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are a group of chemical compounds that often are chemically unrelated but share therapeutic actions such as analgesic (pain-relieving) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects.

  Learn More

• Does Advil contain aspirin?

  No. The pain reliever in Advil is ibuprofen, however both are part of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

• Does Advil contain acetaminophen?

  Advil Dual Action is the only Advil product that contains Acetaminophen. Advil Dual Action fights pain in two ways: Acetaminophen blocks pain signals while Ibuprofen targets pain at the source.

How many 200mg Advil can I take at once?

What is an unsafe amount of Advil?

Can u take 1200 mg of ibuprofen at once?