How Much Ibuprofen Is Safe to Take?

Most people occasionally take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) at home for minor aches and pains such as headaches, toothaches, and fever.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain, inflammation, and fever. Familiar brand names for this medication include Motrin and Advil. Lower strengths of ibuprofen are available over the counter, and higher strengths can be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.

When taken at the correct dose, ibuprofen is safe and effective for both children and adults. However, it is important to be aware of the maximum dosage of ibuprofen. At large doses, ibuprofen can cause serious adverse effects and may even be fatal.

Notably, studies have shown that among all analgesic (pain-reliever) overdoses, nearly one-third included ibuprofen, making ibuprofen the most common NSAID involved in an overdose.

Please continue reading to learn how much ibuprofen is safe to take, the harmful effects of taking too much ibuprofen, and why it is important to follow dosage instructions as directed on the label. This information will provide useful guidance when using ibuprofen to treat pain and fever in children and adults.

Ibuprofen Dosage Forms

Ibuprofen is available in various dosage strengths and formulations, including tablet, chewable tablet, caplet, liquid gel, and suspension or oral drops. It is sometimes included in cold and allergy medicines for fever and pain relief.

The most commonly available formulations and dosage strengths of ibuprofen include:

Tablets:100 mg, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg
Capsules: 200 mg
Chewable tablets:100 mg
Oral suspension or liquid: 100 mg per 5 milliliter (mL)
Concentrated oral suspension for infants: 50 mg per 1.25 mL

Notably, the 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg oral tablets of ibuprofen are available by prescription only.

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Ibuprofen Uses

Ibuprofen is commonly used to treat mild to moderate aches and pains such as headache, toothache, period pain, and sports injuries like sprains and strains.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, ibuprofen is also used to control pain and inflammation in the joints, bones, and muscles, for example, in conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Ibuprofen may also be used to reduce fever during a flu-like illness or common cold.

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How Much Ibuprofen Is OK?

If you’re wondering how much ibuprofen is safe to take in one day, here are some general guidelines:

Dosage Recommendations for Adults

The recommended dose of ibuprofen is 200-400 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed for pain or fever. Adults should not exceed a maximum daily dose of 1200 mg for over-the-counter ibuprofen and 3200 mg for prescription-strength ibuprofen in 24 hours. You should take the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration necessary.

Dosage Recommendations for Children

In children, a safe dosage of ibuprofen depends on the child’s weight as well as the condition that is being treated. A doctor or pharmacist can help you determine the correct dosing for your child. Ibuprofen is not recommended for children under 6 months of age.

Adjustments for Chronic Conditions or Demographics

The lowest effective ibuprofen dosage should be used in elderly, frail, and debilitated individuals.
A lower dose of ibuprofen should be considered in people with mild to moderate renal impairment (kidney disease).
Ibuprofen should also be avoided in patients who have a heart condition such as atrial fibrillation.
This medicine should be used with caution in people who smoke or drink large amounts of alcohol.
Ibuprofen should be used with extreme caution in children and pregnant women. The metabolism rate of ibuprofen may be different in these individuals compared to a healthy adult. Therefore, consulting doctors (gynecologists or pediatricians) is highly recommended for these patient populations.

Correct Ibuprofen Dosage for Different Types of Pain

Recommendations for ibuprofen dosing for different types of pain are as follows:

Mild to moderate musculoskeletal pain: 400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed.
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods): 400 mg every 4 hours.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis including flare-ups of chronic disease: 1200 to 3200 mg in 24 hours (400 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg taken 3-4 times a day).

Signs of Too Much Ibuprofen

Taking too much ibuprofen can be extremely harmful. That’s why it’s important to know how much ibuprofen is safe. Higher strengths of ibuprofen require a prescription, but over-the-counter ibuprofen can be purchased and self-administered by patients at a higher-than-recommended maximum daily dose.

Ibuprofen Overdose

Overdose symptoms can be mild to severe. Mild overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. Severe overdose symptoms are convulsions, hypotension (low blood pressure), little to no urine production, and even coma. Notably, a large ibuprofen overdose is extremely rare unless it is an intentional overdose in an adult or an accidental overdose in a child.

Immediate Steps to Take for a Suspected Ibuprofen Overdose

If you have taken too much ibuprofen due to a mistake or misinformation, obtain medical advice from a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Stop taking the medicine and be vigilant for side effects like fatigue, sleepiness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in the vomit, black stools, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention at the nearest emergency room without delay. Please call 911 or have someone drive you to the emergency department if the symptoms are severe and affecting your capability to operate a motor vehicle safely.

Drug Interactions and Contraindications: What Not to Mix with Ibuprofen

Other Medications to Avoid Taking with Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a household name, but many people don’t know it’s crucial to avoid ibuprofen usage with certain medications. For example, ibuprofen should not be taken with:

Other over-the-counter NSAIDs such as Aleve (naproxen)
High doses of aspirin
Prescription NSAIDs such as Toradol (ketorolac) and celebrex (celecoxib)
Blood-thinning agents such as warfarin, rivaroxaban, or apixaban due to an increased risk of bleeding

Please consult your pharmacist or doctor before taking ibuprofen if you are already taking other medications to avoid a potentially dangerous drug interaction. Learn more: Is Ibuprofen a Blood Thinner?

Conditions That Can Worsen with Ibuprofen Use

Ibuprofen can make certain health conditions worse. Talk to your doctor about the benefits versus risks of taking ibuprofen if you have the following conditions:

Recent heart attack
Personal or family history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke
Heart failure
Smoking
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Planned heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft or CABG)
Asthma
Frequent stuffy or runny nose
Nasal polyps (growths) or swelling in the nasal cavity
Swelling in the hands, arms, lower legs, ankles, or feet
Lupus
Liver disease
Kidney problems
Reduced fluid intake, vomiting, or diarrhea

Warnings and Precautions with Ibuprofen Usage

Short-Term Side Effects of Ibuprofen

Common ibuprofen side effects include:

Gas or bloating
Constipation
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Nervousness
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

These side effects usually go away once your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if they are severe or persistent.

Long-Term or Serious Side Effects of Ibuprofen

Taking ibuprofen long-term can lead to serious side effects, including an increased risk of:

Cardiovascular adverse events such as heart failure, heart disease, and stroke
Kidney injury that leads to kidney failure
Gastrointestinal complications, such as ulceration, bleeding, and stomach or intestinal perforation, which can be fatal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ibuprofen Dosage

How much ibuprofen can you take safely?

Adults can take up to 800 mg of ibuprofen per dose and 3200 mg of ibuprofen per day.

Can I take 3 tablets of ibuprofen at once?

It depends on the strength of the ibuprofen. If you are using 100 mg OTC ibuprofen tablets, it is safe to take 3 tablets at once (total dose 300 mg) since the recommended dose is 200 to 400 mg orally every 4-6 hours. Make sure you don’t exceed the maximum recommended daily dose of 1200 mg.

However, if you are using prescription-strength ibuprofen, such as the 800 mg tablet, then taking 3 of these tablets at once is not recommended. Taking more than 800 mg of ibuprofen in a single dose can potentially cause both short-term and long-term side effects.

Note: Even though three of the 800 mg ibuprofen tablets have a total dose of 2400 mg, which does not exceed the recommended total daily dose of 3200 mg, taking more than 800 mg in a single dose can be harmful.

Can I take 3 tablets of ibuprofen 200 mg at once?

Do not take 3 tablets of ibuprofen 200 mg at once. For over-the-counter ibuprofen, 200 mg to 400 mg is the total dose that should be taken at one time. Taking 600 mg (3 tablets of 200 mg each) exceeds the maximum recommendation of 400 mg per dose. Taking too much ibuprofen may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, gassiness, indigestion, dizziness, and headache.

How often can I take ibuprofen 800 mg?

You can take ibuprofen 800 mg 4 times a day or every 6 hours. Ibuprofen 800 mg is a prescription-strength dosage. The total recommended dose is 3200 mg per day. Do not exceed 800 mg per dose.

Can I take ibuprofen with other painkillers?

It is safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol/acetaminophen (Tylenol) . However, taking ibuprofen with other NSAIDS like naproxen, ketorolac, or aspirin is not recommended unless prescribed for certain medical conditions by your healthcare providers.

Taking ibuprofen with other NSAIDs can increase your risk of side effects such as stomach ulcers, increased risk of bleeding, and acute kidney injury that can lead to chronic kidney disease.

What if I forget to take an ibuprofen dose?

If you are using ibuprofen regularly long-term and have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, do not double up to make up for the forgotten dose. Skip the missed dose and take the next dose as usual.