Advil
Generic name: ibuprofen [ EYE-bue-PROE-fen ]
Brand names: Advil, Junior Strength Advil
Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
What is Advil?
Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Advil is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury.
Advil is used in adults and children who are at least 2 years old. For children under 2 years check with a doctor.
Warnings
Do not take more than your recommended dose. An ibuprofen overdose can damage your stomach or intestines. Use only the smallest amount of medication needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever.
Before taking this medicine
Advil can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. Do not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Advil may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.
You should not use Advil if you are allergic to ibuprofen, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had:
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heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;
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a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
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stomach ulcers or bleeding;
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liver or kidney disease;
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asthma; or
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if you take aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant, you should not take ibuprofen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.
Do not give Advil to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take Advil?
Use Advil exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition.
An ibuprofen overdose can damage your stomach or intestines. The maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800 milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses).
A child's dose of ibuprofen is based on the age and weight of the child. Carefully follow the dosing instructions provided with Junior Strength Advil for the age and weight of your child. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Take Advil with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
You must chew the chewable tablet before you swallow it.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Advil is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.
What to avoid
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to ibuprofen (such as aspirin, ketoprofen, or naproxen).
Avoid taking aspirin unless your doctor tells you to.
If you also take aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack, taking ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you take both medicines, take ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take aspirin (non-enteric coated form).
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Advil side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Advil (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.
Stop using Advil and call your doctor at once if you have:
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changes in your vision;
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shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);
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swelling or rapid weight gain;
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a skin rash, no matter how mild;
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signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating; or
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kidney problems - little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
Common Advil side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, gas;
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bleeding; or
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dizziness, headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Advil?
Ask your doctor before using Advil if you take an antidepressant. Taking certain antidepressants with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using ibuprofen with any other medications, especially:
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heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or
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steroid medicine (such as prednisone).
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with ibuprofen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Related/similar drugs
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Popular FAQ
Advil (ibuprofen) & Tylenol (acetaminophen) together, is it safe?
Yes, it is safe to take ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) together if you need to for extra pain relief, such as for a dental extraction. Taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together works better to relieve pain than taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen separately. This is because they work in different ways with few side effects. Continue reading
Tylenol vs Advil: What's the difference?
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is only effective at relieving pain and fever, but Advil (ibuprofen) relieves inflammation in addition to pain and fever. Other differences... Continue reading
Is ibuprofen (Advil) a blood thinner?
Yes, ibuprofen (Advil) is considered a blood thinner. It doesn't actually "thin" your blood, but slows down your blood clotting time. Risk of stomach bleeding and a stomach ulcer may also be increased if you are at risk. Continue reading
Can I take ibuprofen with Ajovy?
There are no known drug interactions between Ajovy (fremanezumab) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), but you should talk to your doctor before you combine these medications. Serious side effects can occur with ibuprofen, such as stomach or intestinal bleeding, rash, swelling, problems with your kidneys, or an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Ajovy is used to help prevent migraine episodes in adults. Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter analgesic used as an acute treatment to help stop migraine pain already in progress. If Ajovy is not adequately helping your migraine, your doctor may want to switch you to a different migraine prevention medicine or drug class.
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Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Advil only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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