What Is Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)?
Motrin and Advil can be purchased over-the-counter in 200 milligram (mg) tablets, while higher doses require a prescription.
Available in tablets and capsules, ibuprofen is also found in combination with other drugs sold over the counter for cough, cold, and migraine.
In certain situations, ibuprofen may be given in hospitals in liquid form through the veins, or intravenously (IV).
Ibuprofen belongs to group of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which work by inhibiting prostaglandins, chemicals that can cause inflammation in the body.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally approved ibuprofen under the Motrin brand in 1974. It was manufactured by McNeil.
Ibuprofen versus Tylenol (Acetaminophen)
Tylenol (acetaminophen) provides pain relief but, unlike NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, it has no effect on inflammation.This is because Tylenol works differently than ibuprofen and NSAIDs. To date, the way Tylenol works is not fully clear, but it's thought to reduce pain by acting on pain receptors in the brain.
Unlike ibuprofen, Tylenol has no activity in the stomach and does not cause problems with stomach pain or acid reflux.
And like most NSAIDs including ibuprofen, Tylenol reduces fever.
Ibuprofen versus Aleve (Naproxen)
Ibuprofen and Aleve (naproxen) are similar in that they contain the same basic chemical building block.In addition, they are both available over-the-counter (OTC) in low doses and via prescription in higher doses.
However, the effects of ibuprofen do not tend to last as long as Aleve, so you may have to take it every four to six hours (up to six times a day).
Aleve only has to be taken up to three times a day, or every eight hours.
Ibuprofen Warnings
Ibuprofen has two black-box warnings:- Ibuprofen can increase the risk of heart trouble and has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots, all of which can be deadly.
- Ibuprofen can damage the lining of your stomach, putting you at risk for stomach ulcers and heartburn.
People who are about to undergo heart surgery, especially a procedure called coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), should not take ibuprofen.
You should also be careful taking ibuprofen and first speak to your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- Have ever had asthma or strong allergic reaction such as hives caused by a reaction to taking aspirin or other NSAIDs
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Extremely low count of red blood cells (severe anemia)
- Increased pressure in the skull (increased intracranial pressure, or ICP)
- Recent heart attack
- Smoke
- Are a heavy drinker
- Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE)
- Any bleeding disorders, including slow or poor clotting, blood cell abnormalities
Ibuprofen and the Elderly
Older persons should be careful taking ibuprofen.The side effects caused by NSAID pain medications such as ibuprofen, when taken by elderly patients, can put them at risk for falls and other dangerous consequences.
In general, NSAIDs that are available over-the-counter and via prescription can cause extreme sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, and severe stomach problems in the elderly.
However, low doses of ibuprofen tend to be a safer choice for elderly patients than most other painkillers. To be on the safe side, talk to you doctor or pharmacist about your concerns.
Ibuprofen for Dogs
Ibuprofen is not safe to give to a dog.Talk to your veterinarian about other painkillers that are safe for your dog, because ibuprofen (and other pain medications) can cause severe or life-threatening digestive, kidney, or liver problems.
However, some painkillers can safely relieve pain and swelling in dogs just as they do in humans, and generally do not cause any unwanted side effects.
Pain medications that are safe for dogs include:
- Etogesic (etodolac)
- Previcox (firocoxib)
- Metacam (meloxicam)
- Novox, Rimadyl (carprofen)
- Deramaxx (deracoxib)
- Previcox (firocoxib)
- Zubrin (tepoxalin)
Pregnancy and Ibuprofen
Because the risk of harm to an unborn child varies during pregnancy, ibuprofen falls under two pregnancy categories:For the first 29 weeks of pregnancy, ibuprofen carries some risk of harm to the fetus.
For women who are 30 weeks and beyond, ibuprofen should only be taken in situations when there are no safer options available.
Ibuprofen can cause a birth defect by causing a major artery that nourishes the baby's heart to close too soon.
Ibuprofen is also found in breast milk, and mothers should avoid taking this drug while breastfeeding.
Regardless, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medication.
You should also alert your physician if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Ibuprofen Side Effects
Common Side Effects of Ibuprofen
- Stomachache
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Ringing in the ears
Serious Side Effects of Ibuprofen
- Liver failure or inflammation of the liver
- Low platelet count
- Blood in the urine
- Urinary tract infection
- A condition in which the bone marrow is unable to make enough white blood cells, known as agranulocytosis
- Low red blood cell count, or anemia
- Severe and potentially life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure (normally a greater risk with long-term use and while taking certain other medications)
- Kidney damage
Ibuprofen Interactions
It's always important to share with your doctor and pharmacist all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking..
In general, it is not a good idea to take ibuprofen if you are taking aspirin as a blood thinner to protect your heart.
This is because ibuprofen can block the blood-thinning effects of aspirin. Your options are either to avoid taking ibuprofen or to take ibuprofen one hour before taking aspirin or eight hours after having taken aspirin.
If you are taking any of the following drugs, talk to your doctor about prescribing an alternative to ibuprofen:
- Eliquis (apixaban)
- Aspirin (both pill and suppository forms)
- Alka-Seltzer (aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate)
- Stirbild (elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir)
- The cancer medications called disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) Trexall (methotrexate) or Alimta (Pemetrexed)
Serious Drug Interactions
Ibuprofen interacts with hundreds of drugs, including:- Blood thinners like Arixtra (fondaparinux), Pradaxa (dabigatran), and Jantoven, Coumadin (warfarin)
- Heparin
- Antidepressants including Celexa (citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), and Lexapro (escitalopram)
- Water pills like Esidrix, Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide), Thalitone (chorthalidone), and Diuril (chlorothiazide)
- Beta blockers like Sectral (acebutolol), Zebeta (bisoprolol), Tenormin (atenolol), and Coreg (carvedilol)
- Other NSAIDS like Celebrex (celecoxib), Aleve, Naprosyn, (naproxen), Mobic (meloxicam), Relafen (nabumetone), Lodine (etodolac), Toradol (ketorolac)
Examples of these medications include:
- Altace (ramipril)
- Vasotec (enalapril)
- Mavik (trandopril)
- Accupril (quinapril)
- Monopril (fosinopril)
- Univasc (moexipril)
- Avapro (irbesartan)
- Atacand (candesartan)
- Cozaar (losartan)
- Benicar (omesartan)
Examples of these herbal products include:
- Pau d'arco
- Ginseng
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Gingko biloba
- Nettle
- Dong quai
- Cordyceps
- Feverfew
- Green tea
Ibuprofen and Alcohol
You should not drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen.Drinking alcohol while taking ibuprofen can increase the risk of stomach bleeds and may even cause damage to your kidneys.
Ibuprofen and Grapefruit Juice
Because your liver processes grapefruit juice differently than it does ibuprofen, there are no known problems associated with taking ibuprofen and grapefruit juice together.Ibuprofen Dosage
For adults and children over 12 years of age, the usual dose of ibuprofen is one to two tablets or capsules every four to six hours as needed.
Do not take more than 2,400 mg (12 capsules or tablets) of ibuprofen daily. Take ibuprofen with food or after meals if it seems to bother your stomach.
Prescription doses of ibuprofen normally range between 400 mg to 800 mg, up every six to eight hours. In those cases, you should not take more than 3.2 g or 3,200 mg daily.
For bone and joint pain due to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, doses range from 300 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg, every six to eight hours with no more than 3.2 g or 3,200 mg to be taken daily.
Ibuprofen Overdose
If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.
Missed Dose of Ibuprofen
If you miss a dose of Ibuprofen, try to take it as soon as you remember.However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule.
Don't double up to make up for a missed dose.
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Pictures
