Many people reach for the bottle of ibuprofen when a headache, joint pain, or fever hits. Ibuprofen, the active ingredient in brands like Advil or Motrin, works by blocking the enzyme that’s needed to produce substances that trigger pain, fever and inflammation.
An over-the-counter ibuprofen tablet or capsule has 200 milligrams of the drug, and a typical dose for pain is one pill every four to six hours. You can add a second pill if your symptoms aren’t relieved, but the maximum dose is 1,200 milligrams (or six tablets) of ibuprofen a day, unless you have a prescription.
People with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or painful menstrual cramps might seek a prescription for pain relief. Prescription-strength ibuprofen can range in dosage, with the highest concentration at 800 milligrams per tablet. However, you don’t want to take more than 800 milligrams of ibuprofen unless it’s directed by your doctor. Not only can taking more than the recommended dose of ibuprofen increase your risk of side effects, but too much ibuprofen can also cause seizures, low blood pressure, or coma.
High doses of ibuprofen can be toxic
Ibuprofen can help you manage occasional aches and pains, but it’s best to take the lowest dose necessary to avoid side effects and potential complications. According to a 2018 article in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 11% of people who take ibuprofen exceed the daily limit for their condition. According to the National Institutes of Health, large doses of ibuprofen can be toxic. Ibuprofen toxicity can lead to stomach ulcers, liver damage, acute kidney failure, or low platelet counts.
People with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis might take 800 milligrams of ibuprofen in a single dose, which can mean taking 3,200 milligrams a day to relieve pain. You should report side effects such as nausea, heartburn, dizziness, or rash if you experience them while taking ibuprofen. Older adults are more likely to experience these side effects.
And believe it or not, you can overdose on ibuprofen. A 2023 article in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin highlighted a case of a 17-year-old man who suffered from severe lactic acidosis and multiple organ failure after taking too much ibuprofen. A 22-year-old woman almost died after taking 650 ibuprofen tablets, according to a 2023 article in Chest Journal.
Avoid taking ibuprofen for longer than necessary
Whether you’re taking an over-the-counter or prescription-strength ibuprofen, taking ibuprofen daily for a long time increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. According to a 2005 article in BMC Medicine, taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for more than a year increases your risk of heart attack slightly.
You’re also at risk if you take ibuprofen after having heart surgery or a heart attack. Ibuprofen can also increase your risk of edema and heart failure and can worsen high blood pressure. However, a 2011 article in Neurology found that people who use ibuprofen had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
According to Mercy Hospital of Baltimore, you don’t want to take the maximum dose of ibuprofen for more than 30 days unless you have a chronic condition such as arthritis. However, the National Health Service suggests checking with your doctor if you need to take ibuprofen every day for more than 10 days.
