Advil
Ibuprofen
Brand name(s): Advil; Genpril; Haltran; Medipren; Midol
200; Motrin; Nuprin; PediaProfen
Why is this medication prescribed?
Ibuprofen is used to relieve the pain,
tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis and
gout. It also is used to reduce fever and to relieve headaches, muscle
aches, menstrual pain, aches and pains from the common cold, backache, and
pain after surgery or dental work.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for
other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Read more about Celebrex
How should this medicine be used?
Ibuprofen comes as a tablet and liquid to
take by mouth. It usually is taken three or four times a day for arthritis
or every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. Follow the directions on the
package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take ibuprofen exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
directed by the package label or prescribed by your doctor. If you think
that you need more medication to relieve your symptoms, call your doctor.
If you obtained ibuprofen without a prescription, do not take it for more
than 3 days for fever or 10 days for pain without talking to a doctor.
If you are taking ibuprofen for pain and the painful area becomes red or
swollen, call your doctor.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking ibuprofen,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ibuprofen,
aspirin or other medications for pain or arthritis, or any other drugs
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners')
such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol
(Cartrol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics
('water pills'), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium (Eskalith,
Lithobid), medications for arthritis or diabetes, methotrexate, metoprolol
(Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid
(Benemid), and vitamins. Do not take aspirin or acetaminophen when using
ibuprofen unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart, or kidney
disease; high blood pressure; any stomach problems; or any other
gastrointestinal disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ibuprofen, call your
doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or
dentist that you are taking ibuprofen.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car
or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• if you drink 3 or more alcohol drinks every day, ask your doctor if you
should take ibuprofen. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while
taking ibuprofen.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Ibuprofen may cause an upset stomach. Take
ibuprofen with food or milk.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
If your doctor prescribes ibuprofen on a regular basis, take the missed
dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the
next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from ibuprofen are
not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
• headache
• dizziness
• nervousness
• upset stomach
• stomach pain or cramps
• vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• gas
If you experience any of the following
symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
• bloody vomit
• bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• ringing in the ears
• blurred vision
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• skin rash
• itching
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it
came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room
temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to
your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at
1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call
local emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may
order certain lab tests to check your response to ibuprofen.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any
questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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