Ibuprofen (Advil) is a common over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can help relieve pain. It’s typically safe for most adults and children to take at the recommended doses.
The maximum daily dose of ibuprofen depends on whether you’re using it OTC or as a prescription. For adults and children ages 12 and older, the daily limit for OTC ibuprofen is 1,200 mg.
Taking too much ibuprofen can be life-threatening and require medical attention.
Promotion disclosureinfoPromotion disclosureinfo
Save up to 42% on ibuprofen with GoodRxDifferent pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. GoodRx helps find the best price for you.
Promotion disclosureinfoPromotion disclosureinfo
Save up to 42% on ibuprofen with GoodRxDifferent pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. GoodRx helps find the best price for you.
Ibuprofen (Advil) is one of the most popular pain reliever medications. It’s available both over the counter (OTC) and as a prescription. Not only does it relieve pain, but it can also be used as a fever reducer.
At recommended doses, ibuprofen is typically safe for most people to take. But it can be dangerous if you take too much or if you have certain health conditions. Knowing this information is essential for staying safe if you’re considering taking ibuprofen.
Read on to learn more about ibuprofen, the recommended dose, and side effects to look out for.
What is ibuprofen (Advil) used for?
Ibuprofen is a common medication that can be used for pain relief. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking substances in your body that cause pain, swelling, and fever. Ibuprofen works throughout your body to relieve these symptoms.
Ibuprofen can be used to relieve many types of pain, including:
Even though ibuprofen is available OTC, it’s not the best choice for everyone. Always discuss any new medications with your provider first before starting them — even if you don’t need a prescription to buy them.
Do different forms of ibuprofen affect the body differently?
Ibuprofen comes in several different forms. The most commonly used dose forms are:
Oral tablets
Oral capsules
Oral suspension (liquid)
Capsules that contain the liquid form of ibuprofen (sometimes called “liquigels”) have been shown to start working faster to relieve pain compared to the tablet form. But once the medication has fully kicked in, all forms of ibuprofen are similarly effective.
Is it OK to take ibuprofen every day?
Unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so, you shouldn’t take ibuprofen every day. It’s recommended to only take OTC ibuprofen for pain for up to 10 days or for fever for up to 3 days. If you notice your pain or fever is getting worse or not going away, you should stop taking ibuprofen and contact your healthcare provider.
Taking ibuprofen longer than this recommended period of time without a healthcare provider’s OK can be dangerous. Side effects that can happen from taking too much ibuprofen are discussed later in this article.
What is a safe amount of ibuprofen to take?
The maximum amount of ibuprofen you can take depends on whether you’re taking ibuprofen OTC or as a prescription. Always ask your healthcare provider if you aren’t sure how much ibuprofen you or your child should take.
For most adults and children ages 12 years and older, the recommended OTC dose of ibuprofen is 200 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours. If 200 mg didn’t help enough, you have the option to take 400 mg at your next dose. You shouldn’t take more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in a 24-hour period.
If you have menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, or RA pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe ibuprofen for you at a higher dose. Prescription tablets are usually stronger compared to the OTC dose, such as 600 mg and 800 mg. The maximum daily dose for prescription-strength ibuprofen is 3,200 mg in a 24-hour period. But it’s important only to take what your provider has prescribed for you.
For children between 2 and 11 years old, the maximum daily dose depends on your child’s age and weight. It ranges between a total of 400 mg to 1,500 mg per day. If your child is under 2 years old, you should contact your child’s healthcare provider. They will be able to give you the best dose for your child based on their age, weight, and medical conditions.
Can you overdose on ibuprofen?
Yes. Ibuprofen is one of the most taken medications around the world. It can be easy to accidentally take more than what’s recommended. In the U.S., ibuprofen is the most common NSAID involved in overdoses.
Ibuprofen is used in many combination products, such as ibuprofen/diphenhydramine (Advil PM) and ibuprofen/famotidine (Duexis). Ibuprofen is also included in many combination cold and flu medications. So, if you take more ibuprofen on top of an ibuprofen-containing combination medication, you may exceed the maximum daily dose without realizing it.
Always remember to check what medications are included in OTC and prescription combination medications. This can help prevent you from taking too much. Double check with your pharmacist if you’re unsure about whether a medication contains ibuprofen.
What are the risks of taking too much ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is usually well-tolerated with mild side effects, including stomach upset and dizziness. However, it can also cause more serious side effects due to its effect on the body.
The substances that ibuprofen interferes with to relieve pain are also involved with other bodily processes, including:
As a result, too much ibuprofen can raise your risk of serious bleeding, stomach ulcers, and kidney damage.
Ibuprofen can also raise the risk of life-threatening heart problems, such as heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes. Your risk for these problems are higher if you take more than the recommended dose of ibuprofen. Your risk also goes up the longer you take this medication.
What do I do if I accidentally take too much ibuprofen?
If you take too much ibuprofen, you may experience some or all of the following overdose symptoms:
Severe dizziness
Uncontrollable and fast eye movements
Trouble breathing or a change to your usual breathing
A blue color change to your face (e.g., lips, mouth, nose)
Call 911 right away if you notice any of the above symptoms. Taking too much ibuprofen can be life-threatening and requires emergency care. If you believe you or another person may have taken too much ibuprofen but aren’t experiencing overdose symptoms, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
The bottom line
Ibuprofen is a widely available and common pain reliever. It’s usually safe for most adults and children to take at recommended doses. The maximum daily dose depends on whether you’re using OTC or prescription-strength ibuprofen.
If you take more ibuprofen than recommended, it can lead to life-threatening side effects that will need medication attention. Always speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about ibuprofen or to confirm how much ibuprofen is OK for you to take.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
Was this page helpful?
thumb_up_outlinedthumb_down_outlined
Subscribe and save.
Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Enter your email to sign up.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.