Ibuprofen - What You Should Know Before Use

What is Ibuprofen and how it works?

Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin-provides faster pain relief) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment used to reduce fever, treat inflammation, and relieve pain. It is used to treat various health problems such as headaches, toothache, menstrual cramps, arthritis, muscle pain, and back pain.

Ibuprofen works by blocking hormones in your body that cause pain, inflammation, and fever.

How to take Ibuprofen?

You should follow your doctor's instructions on how to take Ibuprofen. If you buy the treatment over the counter, follow the instructions as directed on the label. Ensure you take the lowest amount of the treatment to treat your symptoms.

The maximum amount of dose an adolescent should take is 600 milligrams per dose or 3200mg in a day which is equivalent to 4 doses daily.

The amount of Ibuprofen a child should take depends on the child's age and weight. Get the doctor's advice on the amount your child should take based on age and weight.

The ibuprofen medicine contains measuring cups or dosing syringes that you use to measure the exact dose.

Shake the suspension or liquid Ibuprofen for the treatment to mix evenly. If you are supposed to take the chewable tablets, chew the tablet before swallowing.

Taking an overdose of Ibuprofen can damage your stomach and intestines. Always follow your doctor's dosage plan to avoid taking an overdose. Taking Ibuprofen with food or drink reduces the rate of stomach upset.

Ibuprofen is available either on its own or in combination with other products. The treatment comes in combination with prescription-only products or over-the-counter products.

Some over-the-counter medications combined with ibuprofen are used to treat cough and cold symptoms. If your doctor has prescribed you Ibuprofen, avoid taking the prescribed dose with other over-the-counter drugs containing ibuprofen.

Taking  Ibuprofen with other treatments and herbal supplements 

Some of the treatments may affect the effectiveness of Ibuprofen or vice versa.

Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers may be safe or not safe. You can take Paracetamol or Codeine together with Ibuprofen.

However, you should not take, painkillers that belong to the group of NSAIDSNonsteroidal antin inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen.

The NSAID treatments may increase the severity of stomach upset side effects. Ibuprofen should not be taken with treatments such as Aspirin and Naproxen.

Before buying an NSAIDS treatment from a pharmacy, ensure you check the label to see if it contains Aspirin, Ibuprofen, or NSAID drugs.

When you take Ibuprofen inform of tablets, suspension, capsules, or granules it may affect the other treatments compared to when you apply it on the skin.

Ensure that you inform your doctor before taking Ibuprofen with the following treatments.

• Diabetes treatments such as Glimepiride
• High blood pressure treatments 
• Warfarin, treatments that prevent blood clot
• Antibiotics such as Moxifloxacin and Ciprofloxacin
• Steroid treatments such as Hydrocortisone and Betamethasone
• Antidepressant medicines such as Fluvoxamine and Paroxetine

Do not take Ginkgo Biloba (treats blood disorders) with Ibuprofen since it can increase the rate at which you bleed. There is not enough proof to show the effect of Ibuprofen with other herbal supplements.

However, you should ensure that you inform your doctor before taking Ibuprofen if you are under any herbal supplement.

Who Should Not Use Ibuprofen?

You should not take Ibuprofen if,

You are allergic to Ibuprofen ingredients. You should not use the following ibuprofen products if you are allergic to their ingredients.Ibuprofen,Aspirin,Motrin and Advil.

You have heart surgery. You should not take Ibuprofen before and after heart surgery. Taking the treatment at this time can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Available Ibuprofen strength

Ibuprofen is available in various dosage formsYou will find various types of Ibuprofen you can take by mouth in the following dosage forms.

• Oral suspension ibuprofen available in 100mg and 50mg
• Capsules available in 200mg
• Chewable tablets available as 50mg and 100mg
• Oral tablets are available in 800mg,600mg,400mg,200mgband 100mg.

Ibuprofen Dosage Guidelines

For Adults:

For general pain relief: 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Do not exceed 1,200 mg in 24 hours without medical advice.

For Arthritis: 400-800 mg every 6-8 hours as prescribed by a doctor, with a maximum of 3,200 mg per day.

For Children:

Pain/Fever: Dose is based on weight, typically 10 mg per kilogram of body weight every 6-8 hours. Do not exceed 40 mg/kg in 24 hours.

General Guideline:

• 6 months to 1 year: 50 mg every 6-8 hours
• 1 to 3 years: 100 mg every 6-8 hours
• 4 to 6 years: 150 mg every 6-8 hours
• 7 to 9 years: 200 mg every 6-8 hours
• 10 to 11 years: 300 mg every 6-8 hours

Note please: For more detailed information about dosage and instruction, please refer to the ibuprofen patient leaflet.

Ibuprofen Side effects

Like any other treatment, taking ibuprofen can lead to various side effects. Below are some of the most common and serious side effects of the medication.

most common side effects of Ibuprofen include

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Gas 
• Heartburn
• Injection  in the side of treatment

Serious side effects of Ibuprofen You may experience serious side effects that require immediate medical attention. Below are some of the serious side effects that you should look out for while taking ibuprofen.

Bleeding.

Ibuprofen treatment can increase the risk of bleeding especially if you have a bleeding disorder. If you notice easy bruising or bleeding contact your doctor.

You may also experience stomach bleeding if you suffer from stomach ulcers, take high doses of Ibuprofen, have liver disease, take alcohol, or smoke. You should stop taking ibuprofen if you identify the following symptoms;

• vomiting blood 
• stomach ache 
• severe stomach pain
• black poop 
• Liver Damage 

Liver damage or hepatotoxicity is a serious side effect that can occur to you while taking ibuprofenSeek medical service if you notice the following symptoms of liver damage 

• vomiting
• unusual fatigue 
• fever 
• stomach pain
• light colored poop
• nausea
• loss of appetite 
• Anemia

Anemia is a condition that causes low levels of blood cells in your body. You will know that you have anemia if you experience the following symptoms::

• Pale yellow skin
• Breathing difficulty 
• Fatigue 
• Cold hands and feet 
• Unusual fast heartbeat 
• Drowsiness 
• Hypertension

Ibuprofen tablets can make your high blood pressure worse. If you notice your high blood pressure is 180mmHg and above or 120mmHg and below contact your healthcare provider.

Increased high blood pressure may be unnoticeable, get medical help if you notice the following symptoms. 

• Chest pain
• Anxiety
• Nosebleeding
• Difficulty in breathing 
• Severe headache 
• Blurred vision
• Heart failure 

Taking ibuprofen may increase your risk of heart failure, you may realize you have heart failure if you notice the following symptoms. 

• Abnormal weight gain
• Abnormal fatigue 

Is naproxen better than ibuprofen?

Naproxen (250mg-500mg) is generally described as longer-lasting rather than slow-release ( Gradual absorption) or gastro-resistant.

Naproxen (Aleve) and Ibuprofen belong to a group of treatments known as NSAIDs. Ibuprofen is a short-acting NSAID, best for treating acute pain, and recommended for children.

Naproxen is a long-acting treatment, taken twice daily. It's best suited for treating chronic conditions.

Naproxen performs the same function as Ibuprofen. They both block the enzymes in your body, responsible for causing inflammation, pain, and fever. A Naproxen dose of 440mg is equivalent to an Ibuprofen dose of 400mg. 

Aleve is a brand name for the drug naproxen, which is a non-prescription pain reliever. It is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. It is commonly taken for headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other types of pain.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Fertility while taking Ibuprofen

You must inform your doctor if you are planning to be pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding before taking Ibuprofen.

Research is yet to show if taking Ibuprofen can affect your fertility. However, taking the treatment for a long term can affect your ovulation.

You are recommended to inform your doctor if you are planning to be pregnant before taking Ibuprofen drugs. If you encounter difficulties conceiving a baby seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.

Breastfeeding mothers should use ibuprofen on the skin as a pain reliever. A small amount of the treatment gets into the breast milk but no side effects have been reported affecting the baby.

If you notice your baby is not breastfeeding as usual, ensure that you seek medical advice from your midwife or healthcare provider immediately.

Pregnant women should not take Ibuprofen especially if their pregnancy stage is at 20 weeks. The Ibuprofen painkillers may affect your baby's circulation as well as kidneys.

The doctor can recommend Ibuprofen when pregnant only for a short-term course and depending on how many weeks pregnant you are.

Paracetamol is the most recommended pain reliever treatment to take when you are pregnant.

Always inform your doctor before taking Ibuprofen if you are pregnant. The doctor will issue the right painkillers that won't affect your baby's development.

Bottom Line

When managing pain and inflammation, naproxen stands out for its longer-lasting effect, typically providing relief for 8 to 12 hours, so you don't need to take it as often as ibuprofen.

Naproxen's extended duration makes it a convenient choice for sustained relief throughout the day. However, it is important to consider the specific formulation that suits your needs, including slow-release or gastro-resistant options to address particular concerns such as frequent dosing or stomach irritation.

Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine the best medication and dosage for your situation.

Medically Reviewed By

What should I do if I unknowingly use excess ibuprofen?

If you accidentally use too much ibuprofen contact your healthcare provider to get immediate medical help. Too much of the treatment can cause harm to your health.

What should I do if I miss the ibuprofen dose?

If you miss an ibuprofen dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for the next dose, skip it and take the next dose. Avoid taking double doses of the treatment.

Does Ibuprofen interact with foods and drinks?

There is not enough research to show the interaction between ibuprofen and food or drinks. However, avoid taking alcohol while taking ibuprofen dose. Taking alcohol while taking the treatment can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Does Ibuprofen interact with other medicines?

It's advisable to tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbal remedies. Make sure to inform your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen, if you are using any of the following;

• A water pill is a treatment used to reduce fluid retention and blood pressure.
• Beta-blocker is a treatment used to reduce blood pressure.
• lithium treatment for mental conditions 
• Digoxin is a treatment for heart failure 
• How Long Does Ibuprofen Take to Work

Ibuprofen works within 20 to 30 minutes. The effects of the medication stay in your system for 4 to 6 hours.