Advil is something you take for pain quite frequently, but how can you tell if you’re taking more than is safe?
headaches. Fevers. cramps with menstruation. back discomfort.
Advil, a brand name for the medication ibuprofen, can be used to alleviate any of these symptoms.
It’s hardly surprising that some individuals use the little, brownish-red tablets over-the-counter given the medication’s potent analgesic properties, broad range of pain relief effects, and stellar safety record.
“It’s my go-to when I have pain,” said Candy Tsourounis, a professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of California, San Francisco.
However, ibuprofen, which is also marketed under the trade names Nuprin and Motrin, might present some health hazards, particularly to individuals who have stomach or kidney problems.
Here’s how to be safe and feel good.
How to Recognize If You’re Going Too Far
Adults and children 12 years and older are advised to take one (or two, if necessary) 200-milligram tablets, caplets, or gel caplets every four to six hours while symptoms last, according to the label of over-the-counter ibuprofen. Also, a person taking the medication shouldn’t take more than 1,200 mg, or six pills, in a 24-hour period.
However, it can be challenging to determine how much ibuprofen is too much because doctors occasionally prescribe it at significantly greater dosages—up to 3,200 milligrams per day.
The reason for this disparity stems from safety worries. Because over-the-counter medications can be taken by patients with a variety of risk factors, the Food and Drug Administration establishes rigorous dosage restrictions for them, according to Dr. Tsourounis. Your doctor may recommend a greater dosage if you are not likely to experience an adverse reaction.
According to Lauren Haggerty, a clinical pharmacist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, doctors occasionally recommend taking up to 3,200 mg of ibuprofen daily for a brief duration, up to a week or two, because the anti-inflammatory effects are stronger at higher dosages. According to her, this could occur following an injury or surgery.
It’s advisable to stick to the suggested daily intake of 1,200 milligrams if you haven’t spoken to a doctor about how much is safe or if you are unsure of your risk factors, according to Dr. Tsourounis.
Ibuprofen can upset your stomach, so eat something at least a few bites before taking it. Dairy or nondairy substitute items are particularly beneficial, according to Dr. Tsourounis.
Take care to avoid unintentionally taking more than you planned. “I have patients who may take both Advil and generic ibuprofen because they are unaware of the similarities between the two medications,” stated Dr. Sarah Ruff of UNC Family Medicine in Durham, North Carolina.
It’s also important to remember that ibuprofen is occasionally added to some cold remedies, such as Sudafed PE Head Congestion and Pain Relief, so it’s important to always check the chemical list before taking any drug.
When to Exercise Extra Care
Ibuprofen is a member of the class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or NSAIDs, which, according to Dr. Tsourounis, lessen pain and inflammation by preventing the action of specific enzymes. That’s why it usually feels easier to tamp them down.
However, according to Dr. Tsourounis, these enzymes also support the maintenance of kidney and liver function as well as the control of your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. Therefore, individuals with renal illness or failure, liver damage, cirrhosis, and disorders that impose stress on the kidneys, such as high blood pressure or heart failure, may find it harmful to take ibuprofen.
Before taking ibuprofen, people who are at high risk for these ailments, as well as for heart attacks, strokes, stomach ulcers, or bleeding issues, should consult their physicians, according to Dr. Haggerty. Similarly, if you’re expecting, the FDA states that ibuprofen should not be taken at or after 20 weeks since it very rarely could affect the kidneys of the developing fetus.
Dr. Tsourounis added that ibuprofen strains the kidneys and the heart, so anyone who use drugs like diuretics, anticoagulants, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) to treat cardiovascular difficulties should also exercise caution.
Dr. Ruff cautioned against using the maximum suggested dose for longer than a week or two at a time in order to lower these health concerns. “It’s a good indication that you should see your doctor if you need it for longer than two weeks.”
Ibuprofen can raise the risk of stomach ulcers when taken over extended periods of time, according to Dr. Ruff. The medication blocks a number of enzymes, including those that help produce the mucus that covers and coats the lining of the stomach. Without these enzymes, the stomach is more susceptible to irritation and injury.