Overview Of Ibuprofen (Advil)

Ibuprofen (Advil) is an over-the-counter pain reliever that belongs to a family of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. As the name suggests, ibuprofen reduces inflammation in the body, and it is frequently used for muscle aches, headaches, and menstrual pain. It is safe for use in adults and children over six months old. However, ibuprofen should not be given to children under two years old without doctor approval. Pediatric doses are based on weight, and the recommended dose for adults is no more than eight hundred milligrams per dose up to a maximum of four doses (3200 milligrams in total) per day. If necessary, doctors can offer prescription-strength dosages.

Ibuprofen (Advil) uses, side effects, and precautions are discussed below.

What Is Advil?

Ibuprofen (Advil) was discovered in 1961, and it was first sold in the United Kingdom in 1969. The medication was not available in the United States until 1974. In 2016, more than twenty-one million ibuprofen prescriptions were written in America, and it ranked thirty-five on the list of the most commonly prescribed medicines for that year. Advil works by reducing the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase, and this inhibits the body's ability to produce prostaglandins, hormones that contribute to both inflammation and pain. Advil is usually taken orally, though it can also be administered intravenously in the hospital. After a patient is given a dose, it could take as long as sixty minutes for pain relief to be felt.

Learn about the class of medication ibuprofen belongs to next.

Class of Medication

Ibuprofen is classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine. Other medications in this group include acetylsalicylic acid, naproxen, and nabumetone. Anti-inflammatories are used to treat fever, inflammation, and mild to moderate pain. Ibuprofen is available without a prescription, though stronger doses can be prescribed by doctors if necessary. As previously stated, this medication works by blocking an enzyme (cyclooxygenase) that makes prostaglandins, which are substances that promote pain and inflammation. When this enzyme is blocked and cannot produce prostaglandins, inflammation and the pain it causes can be effectively reduced.

Continue reading to learn about the common ways in which Advil is used next.

Common Uses For Advil

Advil is most frequently used for the treatment of headaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. It is an important medicine for fever reduction, and patients often take it to cope with cold and flu symptoms. Anecdotally, some individuals report it is more effective than acetaminophen in terms of relieving muscle cramps caused by menstruation, overuse injuries, or strained muscles. Doctors may choose to prescribe ibuprofen for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and it is also suggested as a treatment for migraines. When used for these purposes, it may need to be taken on a long-term basis. In neonatal patients, specialists might consider the use of ibuprofen to close a particular type of congenital heart defect known as patent ductus arteriosus.

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How To Use And Uncommon Uses

Doctors could sometimes prescribe Advil for certain patients on an 'off-label' basis. It is used in this manner for the treatment of pain from fibromyalgia, and it might be recommended in cases of gout, chronic fatigue syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Another off-label, uncommon use of this medicine is for the treatment of chronic back pain that is not the result of osteoarthritis. To use ibuprofen in liquid form, shake the liquid well before measuring the dose with the provided dosing syringe, spoon, or cup. Chewable tablets should be chewed before being swallowed. This medicine should be stored at room temperature and kept away from moisture and heat. Generally, Advil is used as needed, and patients are often not on a dosing schedule. Individuals placed on a dosing schedule by their physicians should take any missed dose as soon as they remember. However, if it is almost time for their next dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and extra medicine should not be taken to make up for the missed dose.

Read about the precautions to remember when dealing with Advil next.

Precautions To Remember

Patients should always ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking Advil with any other over-the-counter medicine, prescription, or herbal supplement. Many over-the-counter medicines for cold, flu, allergy, and pain relief contain medications similar to ibuprofen, and using too many anti-inflammatories can be dangerous. In addition, patients should not take Aspirin while taking Advil. If a doctor has advised patients to take Aspirin for heart attack and stroke prevention, patients should take it at least eight hours after taking Advil. Adult patients should not exceed the recommended daily dose of 3200 milligrams for this medicine, and all patients should use the lowest effective dose of ibuprofen for the shortest length of time necessary to relieve their symptoms. Patients should ask their doctor before use if they have ever had a blood clot, heart attack, or stroke, and they should also check with a physician before taking Advil if they have heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Patients undergoing heart bypass surgery will need to ask their healthcare team about when to stop taking this medication before their operation. Precautions are also needed in cases of liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, Marfan syndrome, and pre-existing stomach ulcers. Patients should not consume alcohol while taking ibuprofen. Due to the risk of birth defects, pregnant women should not use this medicine during the last three months of pregnancy, and they should ask their healthcare provider before taking Advil at any stage of their pregnancy.

Learn about the side effects of Advil next.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Advil are skin itching, skin rashes, dizziness, tinnitus, and headache. Other frequent side effects include decreased appetite, nausea, upset stomach, heartburn, bloating, and gas. Some patients have reported diarrhea or constipation while taking ibuprofen, and it might lead to headaches, nervousness, or vomiting as well. Patients should let their doctor know if any of these side effects occur. Although less common, Advil can cause stomach bleeding, and this risk is increased in patients over sixty-five years old. Potential signs of stomach bleeding include blood in the stool, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, and coughing up blood. Ibuprofen could cause serious liver and kidney damage, especially if it is used on a long-term basis. Patients may need to have frequent blood tests to check their organ function, and they should be vigilant for signs of potential organ damage such as flu-like symptoms, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, and reduced urination. Fatigue, swelling of the feet and ankles, rapid weight gain, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath are possible effects that need urgent evaluation.

Get familiar with the commonly prescribed alternatives to ibuprofen next.

Commonly Prescribed Alternatives

For patients who cannot take ibuprofen, another anti-inflammatory medicine may be considered. Some of the most commonly prescribed alternatives to ibuprofen include naproxen and diclofenac. Patients who are allergic to ibuprofen may need to take acetaminophen for pain relief instead, and COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib can be prescribed to target inflammation. Topical pain relievers that contain diclofenac may be suitable for treating strains, sprains, and muscle pain, and diclofenac can be prescribed as an oral medication as well. Patients should always check with their doctor about all of the possible medications that may be useful for their symptoms, and they should ask before using two different pain relievers together to reduce the risk of drug interactions.

Discover the common dosage recommendations for Advil next.

Common Dosage Recommendations

Dosage recommendations vary depending on the condition being treated. For managing menstrual pain, doctors recommend that adults take a maximum of 1200 milligrams of over-the-counter ibuprofen (or 3200 milligrams of prescription-strength ibuprofen). The patient should take a single dose every four to six hours, and each dose should be two to four hundred milligrams. Dosage recommendations are the same for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pediatric patients between two and eleven years old who are using the oral suspension (one hundred milligrams per five milliliters) for pain relief should take five to ten milligrams of ibuprofen per kilogram of body weight. These individuals can take a maximum dose of forty milligrams per kilogram of body weight each day, and they should take no more than four doses each day.

Patients who are older than twelve years old may safely take up to 1200 milligrams per day, and the initial dose should be two hundred milligrams. Patients can take another dose every four to six hours, and the dose can be increased to four hundred milligrams for individuals who need additional pain relief. Patients with advanced kidney disease may need to have their ibuprofen dose adjusted based on the results of kidney function tests, and doctors might suggest that a different medication is used. Individuals with liver issues will need to be closely monitored as well, and ibuprofen should be discontinued for these patients if a rash develops. Pediatric patients with liver issues should not take more than thirty milligrams of ibuprofen per kilogram of body weight during a twenty-four-hour period.

Learn about the connection between ibuprofen and allergies next.

Ibuprofen And Allergies

Some patients who use ibuprofen may develop an allergic reaction to the medication. In the first stages of an allergic reaction, the individual might notice hives forming on the skin. These may be itchy, and blisters could form too. The patient may then have difficulty breathing, and their face, tongue, and lips could swell. Individuals who develop these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Patients who have known allergies to other medications should check with a doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen. Patients who have experienced allergic reactions to ibuprofen could be at an increased risk of a more serious reaction if they are exposed to the medication again. For this reason, individuals should inform all healthcare staff of their ibuprofen allergy, and they should ask whether it is safe for them to take other anti-inflammatory medications.

Get some tips on taking Advil next.

Tips for Taking It

This medicine can be taken with or without food, and doctors recommend that individuals who experience stomach discomfort with ibuprofen consider taking it with milk or at mealtimes. Patients who are pregnant should not use ibuprofen during the last trimester of pregnancy, and those with asthma need to check with their doctor before taking it. It is unsafe to use this drug in the first few weeks immediately preceding or following a heart bypass operation. Since ibuprofen can increase the risk of stomach bleeding, patients who have a history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal issues should check with a physician before using it. Individuals with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of blood clots should also consult a doctor before use. Patients who have connective tissue disorders like lupus, Marfan's syndrome, or Sjogren's syndrome may not be able to use this medicine, and ibuprofen should not be given to children under two years old unless a doctor has suggested this. Ibuprofen needs to be stored at room temperature, and patients should shake the liquid form of this medicine immediately before use. Liquid medicine should be measured with a dosing spoon or medicine cup; these are normally included inside the medication package.