How Much Ibuprofen Can I Take Safely?

Written by
Juhi Modi

Medically reviewed by
HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharm.D.
| Jun 13, 2023

Most people occasionally take ibuprofen 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 and relieves inflammation. 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 prescription.

Ibuprofen is available in various dosage strengths and formulations, including tablets, chewable tablets, caplets, liquid gels, and suspensions or oral drops. It is sometimes included in cold and allergy medicines for fever and pain relief.

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. 

Continue reading to learn more about the harmful effects caused by taking ibuprofen in excess amounts and find out 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.

What is ibuprofen used to treat?

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. 

Why is it important to know the appropriate ibuprofen dosing?

You should know how much ibuprofen is safe because taking too much ibuprofen can be very harmful. Although higher strengths of ibuprofen require a prescription,  over-the-counter ibuprofen can be purchased and self-administered by patients at a higher than recommended maximum daily dose. 

Ibuprofen should be used with extreme caution in children and pregnant women as their metabolism rate of ibuprofen may be different than a healthy adult. Therefore, consulting a gynecologist and pediatrician is highly recommended for this patient population. Last but not least, since ibuprofen is a household name, it is very crucial to know when to avoid ibuprofen usage with certain medications. For example, ibuprofen should not be taken with other NSAIDs such as Aleve (naproxen), high doses of aspirin, or prescription NSAIDs such as ketorolac and celecoxib. Ibuprofen should also be avoided in patients who have a heart condition such as atrial fibrillation who are on blood-thinning agents such as warfarin, rivaroxaban, or apixaban, as ibuprofen or NSAIDs in general increase the risk of bleeding. Please consult your pharmacist or doctor before taking ibuprofen if you are already taking other medications to avoid drug interaction.  

What doses is ibuprofen available in?

As noted above, over-the-counter and prescription ibuprofen is available in various dosage forms like tablets and suspensions. 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 mL), and concentrated oral suspension for infants (50 mg per 1. 25 mL). Notably, the 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg tablets of ibuprofen are available by prescription only. 

What is a safe dose of ibuprofen?

The recommended dose of ibuprofen is 200-400 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed for pain or fever. The recommended maximum daily dose is 1200 mg for over-the-counter ibuprofen and 3200 mg for prescription-strength ibuprofen.

In children, the 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. It is not recommended to give ibuprofen to children under six months of age.

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 to make up the total dose of 300 mg since the recommended dose is 200 to 400 mg orally every 4-6 hours as long as the maximum recommended daily dose of 1200 mg is not exceeded. 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 because taking more than 800 mg of ibuprofen in a single dose can potentially cause both short-term and long-term side effects, even though the three of the 800 mg ibuprofen tablet make up a total dose of 2400 mg and it does not exceed the recommended total daily dose of 3200 mg. 

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

For over-the-counter ibuprofen, 200 mg to 400 mg is the dose that should be taken at one time. Therefore, it is not recommended to take 3 of the 200 mg ibuprofen tablets since that makes up a total of 600 mg which exceeds the maximum 400 mg per dose. 

Taking too much ibuprofen can result in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, gassiness, indigestion, dizziness, and headache.

How often can I take ibuprofen 800 mg?

Ibuprofen 800 mg is a prescription-strength dosage. The total recommended dose is 3200 mg per day. Therefore, you can take ibuprofen 800 mg 4 times a day or every 6 hours. As mentioned above, even though the maximum daily dose of prescription ibuprofen is 3200 mg, it is potentially harmful to 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 it is indicated for certain medical conditions and your healthcare providers are aware of such a combination. 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 are the harmful effects of excess ibuprofen intake?

The maximum amount of ibuprofen in adults is 800 milligrams per dose or 3200 milligrams per day. You should keep these numbers in mind because a large ibuprofen overdose can lead to potentially life-threatening complications. 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. 

Besides the risk of an overdose, taking ibuprofen over the recommended dose can lead to serious side effects. Side effects of ibuprofen include an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events such as heart failure, heart disease, and stroke, kidney injury that leads to kidney failure, and gastrointestinal complications such as ulceration, bleeding, and stomach or intestinal perforation.

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. 

What to do if I take too much ibuprofen?

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. 

The bottom line

In general, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are well-tolerated and safe to use with a low risk of adverse events provided you take the medication as directed on the label or by your healthcare professional. Overall, ibuprofen can be safely used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation in both children and adults, as long as it is used as directed.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526078/
2. https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ibuprofen-for-adults/

How and when to take or use ibuprofen

Dosage and strength for tablets, capsules, granules and liquid

Each ibuprofen tablet or capsule contains 200mg, 400mg or 600mg of ibuprofen. Slow-release tablets and capsules contain 200mg, 300mg or 800mg of ibuprofen.

Each sachet of granules contains 600mg of ibuprofen.

If you’re taking ibuprofen as a liquid, 10ml contains either 200mg or 400mg. Always check the label.

The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets or capsules 3 times a day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of up to 600mg to take 4 times a day if needed. This should only happen under supervision of a doctor.

If you’re taking granules, the usual dose for adults is one sachet 2 or 3 times a day. Some people might need to take it 4 times a day.

If you take ibuprofen 3 times a day, leave at least 6 hours between doses. If you take it 4 times a day, leave at least 4 hours between doses.

If you have pain all the time, your doctor may recommend slow-release ibuprofen tablets or capsules. You’ll usually take these once a day in the evening or twice a day. Leave a gap of 10 to 12 hours between doses if you’re taking ibuprofen twice a day.

How to take tablets, capsules, granules and liquid

Swallow ibuprofen tablets or capsules whole with a drink of water, milk or juice. Do not chew, break, crush or suck them as this could irritate your mouth or throat.

For people who find it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules, ibuprofen is available as a tablet that melts in your mouth, granules that you mix with a glass of water to make a drink, and as a liquid.

If you’re taking the tablet that melts in your mouth, put it on your tongue, let it dissolve and then swallow. You do not need to drink any water.

Take ibuprofen granules by emptying the contents of the sachet into a glass full of water to make an orange flavoured fizzy drink, stir and drink straight away.

If you’re taking liquid, it will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to measure your dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen spoon, as it will not measure the right amount.

Take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid with a meal or snack, or with a drink of milk. It will be less likely to upset your stomach. If you take it just after food, ibuprofen may take longer to start working.

How long to take it for

If you’re taking ibuprofen for a short-lived pain like toothache or period pain, you may only need to take it for a day or two.

You may need to take ibuprofen for longer if you have a long-term health problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

If you need to take ibuprofen for more than 6 months, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to protect your stomach from any side effects.

If you forget to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid

If you are prescribed ibuprofen as a regular medicine and forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid

Taking too much ibuprofen by mouth can be dangerous. It can cause side effects such as:

• feeling and being sick (nausea and vomiting)
• stomach pain
• feeling tired or sleepy
• black poo and blood in your vomit – a sign of bleeding in your stomach
• ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
• difficulty breathing or changes in your heart rate (slower or faster)

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:

• you’ve taken more than it says on the packet of ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

Immediate action required: Go to A&E now if:

you’ve taken more than it says on the packet of ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid and:

• your heart rate (pulse) has slowed down or got faster
• you’re having difficulty breathing

If you go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the ibuprofen packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Dosage for ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray

The amount of ibuprofen you put on your skin depends on the product you’re using. Check the package leaflet carefully for how much to use.

How to use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray

Gently massage the ibuprofen into the painful area 3 or 4 times a day. Leave at least 4 hours between applications.

Most products must not be used more than 4 times in 24 hours. Check the instructions that come with the medicine to see how many times a day you can use it.

Never use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray on your eyes, mouth, lips, nose or genital area. It may make them sore. Do not put it on sore or broken skin.

Do not put plasters or dressings over skin you’ve applied ibuprofen to.

Wash your hands after using it, unless you are treating your hands.

Do not smoke or go near naked flames as clothes that have been in contact with ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray burn more easily, even if they have been washed.

If you forget to put it on

Do not worry if you occasionally forget to use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray, just carry on using it when you remember.

If you put on too much ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray

Putting too much ibuprofen on your skin is unlikely to cause problems.

If you swallow the gel, mousse or spray

If you swallow ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray, you may get symptoms including:

• headaches
• being sick (vomiting)
• feeling sleepy or dizzy

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:

• you swallow ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray and you feel unwell

Go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111

Ibuprofen: instruction, price, analogues | Compendium – Drug Guide

Ibuprofen – NSAID

Ibuprofen is a widely prescribed NSAID, is considered one of the safest drugs in this group and is generally well tolerated, but, nevertheless, may rarely cause clinically significant and severe acute liver injury. Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.

The drug is prescribed for the symptomatic treatment of various types of pain, including headache, toothache, dysmenorrhea, neuralgia, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, rheumatic pain, as well as signs of SARS and influenza. Ibuprofen is given alone or in combination with other analgesics, antihistamines, or anticholinergics, usually at doses of 200, 400, 600, or 800 mg. Pediatric formulations of this drug are also available from pharmacies. Ibuprofen is part of many combined drugs for the symptomatic treatment of dysmenorrhea, headache, allergies, and acute respiratory viral infections.

Ibuprofen. FDA Approved Indications

Ibuprofen is indicated and FDA approved for the symptomatic treatment of inflammatory diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. Ibuprofen was discovered in the search for an alternative non-corticosteroid treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This disease was the impetus for the creation of the substance that eventually became known as ibuprofen. Patented as 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid (ibuprofen) by Dr. Stuart Adams and John Nicholson, it has become and remains one of the most widely used NSAIDs in the world (Halford G.M. et al., 2012). Today, ibuprofen is used as a monotherapy for the symptomatic treatment of pain in rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory diseases, with some research being conducted into the introduction of new treatments or dosage forms. One of these studies includes the creation of complex drugs based on NSAIDs and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for the symptomatic treatment of pain in rheumatoid arthritis (Akgul O. et al., 2018).

Ibuprofen is FDA approved for symptomatic use in mild to moderate pain. As an over-the-counter drug, it is used as a symptomatic treatment for muscle strain, joint pain, migraine, sore throat, SARS / influenza. Postoperative pain is one type of pain. One randomized, double-blind study demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of i.v. ibuprofen, with i.v. acetaminophen being the comparator. The effectiveness of drugs was compared in the treatment of postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. As a result of the study, in the first 24 hours after the procedure, it was found that with intravenous ibuprofen therapy, the severity of pain decreases and thus it is possible to reduce the dose of opioids (Ekinci M. et al., 2019). Ibuprofen is widely used as an effective drug for the symptomatic treatment of pain, but research is constantly aimed at improving the effectiveness of its clinical use.

Ibuprofen is also FDA-approved as an antipyretic drug used to reduce body temperature in both adults and children. NSAIDs are much more commonly used in the treatment of fever in children, and much current research is focused on making ibuprofen more effective for this purpose.

Dysmenorrhea is a disease characterized by pain during menstruation, which can vary. Dysmenorrhea can be either primary, which is usually mediated by prostaglandin production during ovulation, or secondary to another disease such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (Durain D., 2004). NSAIDs are often the therapeutic choice and are FDA approved for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Transdermal drug delivery has been a topic of research in the context of the use of ibuprofen for the symptomatic treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. One study examined the use of essential oils as penetration enhancers for the transdermal delivery of ibuprofen in patients with dysmenorrhea. As a result of the study, one of the essential oils (Chuanxiong oil) was found to have a positive effect on the permeability and relief of pain symptoms when administered with ibuprofen hydrogel (Chen J. et al., 2015).

Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are also FDA approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The results of a comparative study of celecoxib (a group of coxibs) and ibuprofen demonstrated the same tolerability and efficacy in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (Gordo A.C. et al., 2015).

Ibuprofen has been studied for the symptomatic treatment of gout attacks. In 1978, a study by Schweitz et al. reported rapid improvement and reduction in pain in 10 patients with acute gouty arthritis (patients were treated with ibuprofen 2400 mg) (Schweitz M.C. et al., 1978). Ibuprofen is usually used as monotherapy for mild attacks and colchicine as therapy for moderate to severe gout attacks.

NSAIDs and colchicine are also often used in combination in the treatment of pericarditis due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of NSAIDs. Since 2011, ibuprofen has been one of the most widely used NSAIDs in the treatment of pericarditis. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in the CORP and CORP-2 trials in the treatment and prevention of multiple relapses of idiopathic pericarditis compared to acetylsalicylic acid. The study found no significant difference between the two drugs in the treatment or prevention of idiopathic pericarditis (Schwier N. et al., 2017). In a 2014 review, colchicine was shown to be effective in reducing the incidence of recurrent pericarditis when used as add-on therapy to NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, or indomethacin, but with limited study numbers (Bayes-Genis A. et al. , 2017).

Intravenous ibuprofen has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants. As a result of studies, a similar efficacy of ibuprofen with indomethacin was recorded in this pathology. Differences exist in the incidence of systemic vasoconstriction and renal toxicity; probably due to the lower selectivity for COX-1, ibuprofen was found to have reduced rates of both outcomes (Ferguson J.M., 2019).

Since 2007, USPSTF guidelines recommend the use of acetylsalicylic acid and NSAIDs for the prevention of colorectal cancer in certain populations. In 2016, they updated these recommendations, as well as recommendations from 2009 on the use of acetylsalicylic acid and NSAIDs in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (Bibbins-Domingo K. et al., 2016). Although these recommendations do not apply specifically to ibuprofen, they do provide a solid basis for research that confirms the potentially great role of NSAIDs in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The results of a study on the effectiveness of NSAIDs in the treatment of cancer, as well as some studies on the effectiveness of ibuprofen, have shown promising results. A review by Hil’ovska et al documented the potential use of NSAIDs in reducing the growth, morphology, and invasion of cancer cells; in the induction of cancer cell death and in the use of a lower dose of cytotoxic drugs (Hiľovská L. et al., 2015). The reviewed studies were mainly devoted to COX-2 inhibitors. With regard to ibuprofen specifically, some studies have suggested that it has a stronger antitumor effect compared to acetylsalicylic acid, namely in studies conducted in the treatment of breast and lung cancer (Harris R. E. et al., 2005). Also, when using ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid, the risk of developing breast cancer is reduced (Cuzick J. et al., 2009).

Similar to previous authors, Wawro et al. in their studies demonstrated potential indications for the use of NSAIDs, especially acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen, in the treatment of cancer in patients with colorectal cancer treated with vincristine monotherapy. The proposed role of NSAIDs is primarily to prevent chemoresistance by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer-associated fibroblast formation. Vincristine stimulates the growth of cancer-associated fibroblasts through the secretion of tumor growth factors beta (TGF-β) and IL-6; when using acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen, scientists recorded an inhibitory effect of the drug on this pathological process. Their studies were based on the assumption that the probable mechanism of this inhibitory effect is associated with NSAIDs that affect the rate of regulation of microtubule polymerization dynamics (Wawro M. E. et al., 2019).

Ibuprofen. Pain in the pediatric population

Pain is a common symptom in children. For more than 30 years, the use of ibuprofen in the pediatric population has been the subject of research. The scientific literature has reviewed information on childhood illnesses over the past 20 years, drawing conclusions about the efficacy and side effects associated with the use of ibuprofen as an analgesic. Ibuprofen has been effective in several pain conditions in children such as musculoskeletal pain, ear pain and acute otitis media, toothache and inflammatory diseases of the mouth and throat. The drug is a reasonable and effective alternative for postoperative pain, including tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. It also remains the choice in the symptomatic treatment of pain in chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Side effects associated with ibuprofen are minor. It has the lowest gastrointestinal toxicity among NSAIDs, although some cases of GI toxicity (gastrointestinal toxicity) may occur. Adverse reactions from the kidneys are minimal, but dehydration plays an important role in the occurrence of kidney damage, so ibuprofen should not be prescribed to patients with vomiting and diarrhea. Ibuprofen therapy has demonstrated a good safety profile and evidence of efficacy in the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain in children of various backgrounds. The analgesic effect of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen is mainly to inhibit the biosynthesis of prostaglandins. A decrease in the synthesis of prostaglandins leads to a decrease in the production of glutathione and renal perfusion.

Benefits of ibuprofen and acetaminophen combined/alternating

Benefits of using NSAIDs and acetaminophen concomitantly or alternately have been suggested due to their potential synergism in antinociceptive effects, as well as the convenience of using an additional analgesic drug for pain that is not amenable to monotherapy at any dose of age. In acetaminophen, C _max in plasma is reached after 30 minutes compared to 60 minutes for ibuprofen. In studies of antipyretic effects, acetaminophen maximally reduces high body temperature after 2 hours, and ibuprofen after 3 hours. The recommended dosing intervals are every 6 and 8 hours for acetaminophen and ibuprofen, respectively; thus, theoretically, they can be rotated every 3 hours. Short-term use of an alternating dosing regimen may be considered for the symptomatic treatment of pain that is not relieved by monotherapy (Massimo Barbagallo et al., 2019)

There are several randomized controlled trials of symptomatic treatment of headache in children. They concluded that only ibuprofen and sumatriptan were significantly more effective than placebo in reducing headache severity.

One Cochrane review included 27 pediatric randomized controlled trials of NSAIDs. Each of them compared the therapeutic efficacy of one of the drugs in this group with placebo. Efficacy was evaluated 2 hours after administration of the study drug. Based on a systematic review, ibuprofen appeared to be more effective, making it the drug of choice for the symptomatic treatment of headache. If migraine is suspected, NSAIDs and triptans should be considered. In case of nausea and vomiting, antiemetics and IV rehydration should be used (Raucci U., 2019).

Conclusions. Ibuprofen – safety profile among NSAIDs

Ibuprofen first appeared on the market about 50 years ago and quickly became a popular drug. In April 2019, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) of France issued a warning against the use of NSAIDs in patients with infectious diseases, based on an analysis of 20 years of real data on the safety of ibuprofen and ketoprofen. Nevertheless, ibuprofen remains the basic drug used in the symptomatic treatment of pain of various origins, which is clearly confirmed in numerous randomized clinical trials and clinical experience. There is a review of the literature on the safety of ibuprofen and how it compares favorably with other NSAIDs. Ibuprofen therapy is characterized by adverse reactions not only from the gastrointestinal tract, which are dose-dependent and are especially characteristic for a certain patient population. Among NSAIDs, ibuprofen causes a relatively low risk of cardiovascular side effects. Overall, ibuprofen has a favorable safety profile and is effective in many acute and chronic pain conditions (Varrassi G. et al., 2020).

Ibufen – instructions for use, doses, side effects, reviews of the drug:

Description of the drug Ibufen (oral suspension, 100 mg / 5 ml) is based on official instructions, approved by the manufacturer in 2004

Approval date: 27.07.2004

Content

• Active substance
• ATX
• Pharmacological group
• Nosological classification (ICD-10)
• Composition and form of release
• Description of the dosage form
• Pharmacokinetics
• Indications
• Contraindications
• Dosage and administration
• Side effects
• Interaction
• Overdose
• Precautionary measures
• special instructions
• Storage conditions
• Best before date
• Reviews

Active ingredient

Ibuprofen* (Ibuprofen*)

ATX

M01AE01 Ibuprofen

Pharmacological group

NSAIDs – Derivatives of propionic acid

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

ICD-10 code list

Composition and formulation

in 100 g orange glass bottles; in a box 1 bottle (a measure with a scale is attached to the package).

Description of dosage form

Suspension of orange color with an orange smell and sweet taste, with a slightly perceptible burning aftertaste. There may be a separation into a liquid layer and a precipitate, which, after mixing, constitute a homogeneous suspension.

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, more than 80% is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. max “> C _max in blood plasma is achieved when taken on an empty stomach – after 45 minutes, when taken after a meal after 1.5–2.5 hours. Protein binding – 90%. Slowly penetrates into the joint cavity, but in the synovial fluid creates higher concentrations than in the blood plasma (C _max in the synovial fluid is reached after 2-3 hours). Metabolized mainly in the liver. It undergoes pre- and post-systemic metabolism. After absorption, about 60% of the pharmacologically inactive R-form is slowly transformed into the active S-form. Excreted by the kidneys (60-90% in the form of metabolites and products of their combination with glucuronic acid, to a lesser extent – with bile, unchanged – no more than 1%). Has biphasic elimination kinetics with 1/2″>T _1/2 2–2.5 hours, after administration in a single dose, completely eliminated within 24 hours. The antipyretic effect of Ibufen develops after 30 minutes and lasts 6–8 hours. colds, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, tonsillitis (pharyngitis), childhood infections accompanied by fever, post-vaccination reactions.

As an analgesic: for toothache, painful teething, headache, migraine, neuralgia, muscle and joint pain, trauma and burns.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity (including to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs), peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, severe insufficiency of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension, hemophilia, hypocoagulation, hemorrhagic diathesis, glucose deficiency -6-phosphate dehydrogenase, bronchospastic reactions after the use of acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs (“aspirin asthma”), Quincke’s edema, nasal polyps, hearing loss, infancy (up to 6 months, with body weight – below 7 kg).

Dosage and administration

Information for healthcare professionals only.
Are you a healthcare professional?

By mouth , after eating. The average single dose is 5-10 mg/kg of body weight 3-4 times a day. Children aged 6 months – 1 year (7-9 kg) – 2.5 ml (50 mg) 3 times a day, the maximum daily dose is 7.5 ml (150 mg). 1-3 years (10-15 kg) 2.5 ml (50 mg) 3-4 times daily, maximum daily dose 7.5-10 ml (150-200 mg). 3-6 years (16-20 kg) – 5 ml (100 mg) 3 times a day, the maximum daily dose is 15 ml (300 mg). 6-9 years (21-30 kg) – 5 ml (100 mg) 4 times a day, the maximum daily dose is 20 ml (400 mg). 9-12 years (31-41 kg) – 10 ml (200 mg) 3 times a day, the maximum daily dose is 30 ml (600 mg). Over 12 years (more than 41 kg) – 10 ml (200 mg) 4 times a day, the maximum daily dose is 40 ml (800 mg). The dose can be repeated every 6-8 hours. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose. For children from 6 months to 1 year, the drug is prescribed on the recommendation of a doctor.

Side effects

From the side of the central nervous system: headache, dizziness, sleep disturbance, anxiety, drowsiness, depression, agitation, visual impairment (reversible toxic amblyopia, blurred vision or double vision).

From the side of hematopoiesis: heart failure, tachycardia, increased blood pressure; anemia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia.

From the digestive tract: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, heartburn, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, abnormal liver function, peptic ulcers, gastric bleeding.

From the urinary system: acute renal failure, allergic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome (edema), polyuria, cystitis.

Allergic reactions: itching, rash, bronchospastic syndrome, allergic rhinitis, angioedema, Steven-Johnson syndrome, Lyell’s syndrome.

Interactions

Information for healthcare professionals only.
Are you a healthcare professional?

Should not be combined with other NSAIDs (acetylsalicylic acid reduces anti-inflammatory effect and increases side effects). When taken simultaneously with diuretics, the diuretic effect decreases and the risk of developing renal failure increases. Weakens the effect of antihypertensive drugs, incl. ACE inhibitors (simultaneously reduces their excretion by the kidneys), beta-adrenergic agents, thiazides. Enhances the effect of oral hypoglycemic agents (especially sulfonylurea derivatives) and insulin, indirect anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, fibrinolytics (increases the risk of hemorrhagic complications), the toxic effect of methotrexate and lithium preparations, increases the concentration of digoxin in the blood.

Microsomal oxidation inducers (phenytoin, ethanol, barbiturates, zixorin, rifampicin, phenylbutazone, tricyclic antidepressants) increase the risk of developing severe hepatotoxic complications (increase the production of hydroxylated active metabolites), microsomal oxidation inhibitors reduce it. Caffeine enhances the pain-relieving effect.

Overdose

Symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, headache, tinnitus, depression, drowsiness, metabolic acidosis, hemorrhagic diathesis, decreased blood pressure, acute renal failure, abnormal liver function, tachycardia, bradycardia , atrial fibrillation; convulsions, apnea and coma (especially characteristic of children under 5 years of age).

Treatment: gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal, alkaline drink, symptomatic therapy (correction of acid-base balance, blood pressure).

Precautions

Use with caution in cirrhosis of the liver with portal hypertension, hepatic and/or renal insufficiency, heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia, gastric and duodenal ulcers (history), gastritis, enteritis, colitis, diseases blood (leukopenia, anemia), pregnancy (II-III trimesters), during breastfeeding. In patients with bronchial asthma or other diseases that occur with bronchospasm, there may be an increased risk of developing bronchospasm.

During long-term treatment, it is necessary to control the picture of peripheral blood and the functional state of the liver and kidneys. When symptoms of gastropathy appear, careful monitoring is indicated (conducting esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a blood test with the determination of hemoglobin, hematocrit, fecal occult blood analysis).