adults – can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (200mg) every 4 to 6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 1,200mg (6 x 200mg) tablets in the space of 24 hours. children under 16 – may need to take a lower dose, depending on their age; check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Taking too much ibuprofen can result in an overdose. This can cause dangerous side effects such as damage to your stomach or intestines. In rare cases, an overdose can be fatal. For this reason, you should always take it exactly as directed on the label or as recommended by your doctor.
For the 500 mg pills (extra-strength tablets), you can take up to 2 pills every 6 hours.
Ibuprofen 400 mg to be taken up to three times a day as required. Leave at least four hours between doses and do not take more than 1200 mg in any 24 hour period.
You should start to feel better 20 to 30 minutes after taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid. For some types of long-term pain, you'll need to take ibuprofen regularly for up to 3 weeks for it to work properly. If you're applying ibuprofen to your skin, it should start to work within 1 to 2 days.
The recommended dose of ibuprofen is 200-400 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed for pain or fever. The recommended maximum daily dose is 1200 mg for over-the-counter ibuprofen and 3200 mg for prescription-strength ibuprofen.
Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers
It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine. But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.
However, do not give paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. You need to give these medicines 1 at a time (unless your child's doctor or nurse gives you different instructions).
However, one study of 13 weeks found use of combined paracetamol/ibuprofen may increase the risk of bleeding over and above that associated with the individual drugs, suggesting caution should apply to long-term use.
The main difference between the two medications is that ibuprofen reduces inflammation, whereas paracetamol does not. According to Hamish, there's no advantage in taking ibuprofen or paracetamol brands such as Nurofen or Panadol over the cheaper chemist or supermarket versions.
Paracetamol and ibuprofen do not react with each other to harm your child. The potential risk of using them both together is that you will get confused with how much you have given and then give your child too much. Remember that: Paracetamol can be given every 4-6 hours - MAXIMUM FOUR DOSES IN 24 HOURS.
Ibuprofen is an anti inflammation medicine (a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug or NSAID). It can relieve mild to moderate pain, reduce swelling and control high temperature (fever). It is also known by the brand names Brufen and Nurofen.
adults – can usually take 1 or 2 tablets (200mg) every 4 to 6 hours, but shouldn't take more than 1,200mg (6 x 200mg) tablets in the space of 24 hours. children under 16 – may need to take a lower dose, depending on their age; check the packet or leaflet, or ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
To avoid the potential short- or long-term effects of taking too much ibuprofen, do not take more than your recommended dose. The absolute maximum daily dose for adults is 3200 mg. Do not take more than 800 mg in a single dose. Only use the smallest dose needed to alleviate your swelling, pain, or fever.
One dose of ibuprofen provides pain relief for four to six hours. But it may take at least 10 hours for your body to completely rid your system of ibuprofen.
The most common side effects of ibuprofen are: headache. dizziness. drowsiness, fatigue and restless sleep.
You can take ibuprofen on an empty stomach and this will give you faster pain relief than taking it with food. Food increases the time it takes for ibuprofen to be absorbed, although it won't affect how much is absorbed.
Having said that, there is very little difference between the majority of Nurofen products and a standard ibuprofen product - especially because the doses of the active ingredients are the same in both products. However, Nurofen's fast acting tablets do just that, and act faster than your standard ibuprofen product.
The primary difference is that ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meaning that it treats inflammation. Paracetamol does not. For example, paracetamol can be taken to treat the pain of arthritis, but it will not treat the inflammation which is causing the pain.
Each ibuprofen tablet or capsule contains 200mg, 400mg or 600mg of ibuprofen. Slow-release tablets and capsules contain 200mg, 300mg or 800mg of ibuprofen.
Unless advised by your doctor, do not take Nurofen if you are taking products containing ibuprofen, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory medicines. If you are unsure whether your current medicine contains an anti-inflammatory medicine, check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Naproxen stays active in your body for longer than ibuprofen. This is because it is longer acting. Naproxen can last up to 12 hours. So, to get full 24-hour coverage, you'd only need to take naproxen twice a day (about every 12 hours).
Co-codamol is much less strong than codeine on its own, but it's stronger than ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol and shouldn't be used for more than 3 days. Co-codamol is the best pain relief for moderate to severe pain, including muscular pain, migraines and pain following surgery.