Trying to decide on an ibuprofen dosage?

What ibuprofen dosage is right for you? Just what is ibuprofen? Ibuprofen (often sold under the brand name "Advil") is part of a popular class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. NSAIDs work by keeping your body from producing substances that cause inflammation and make nerves more sensitive to pain. Various drugs seem to have other effects on the body, but scientists don't

yet have a full understanding of how it all works.

You may be taking an ibuprofen dosage for sore muscles, arthritis, menstrual cramps, and, of course, migraine and headaches.

Interesting note: recently there has been some discussion about the use of NSAIDs for sore muscles. Ibuprofen seems to be most effective when taken for bangs and bruises, but less effective when taken for muscles that are sore the day after a workout.

What are the dangers?

Ibuprofen is a generally safe drug, but there are still dangers, especially if you get the wrong ibuprofen dosage. Side effects are usually minimal, and most commonly include nausea, heartburn, gastrointestinal problems, headache, dizziness, or sleepiness. It's best to avoid hazardous work until you know how the drug reacts.

An overdose can cause the same symptoms but worse, and can also cause seizures. If you suspect there has been an overdose, call the doctor or poison control centre, or go straight to emergency.

For most people, there is little to worry about if you're taking the occasional dose. However, sometimes ibuprofen is prescribed to be taken long term. If you take ibuprofen for a prolonged period of time (ie months and years) you could run into trouble. This is especially important for chronic headache sufferers to note. Even though drugs such as ibuprofen are fairly safe, be careful about taking a several a week. Prolonged use can cause gastrointestinal problems, even liver failure. If you're taking ibuprofen consistently, talk to your doctor. You can be monitored for problems.

If you're already dealing with stomach, intestinal, kidney or heart problems, talk to your doctor. People with other diseases such as diabetes, mellitus, lupus, asthma, epilepsy or Parkinson's should also talk to a doctor. And, as always talk to your doctor if you're on any other medications. You should especially avoid other NSAIDs and aspirin.

When should I be extra careful about my ibuprofen dosage?

Over 60: Your dosage will probably be quite a bit below the average.
Pregnancy: If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, avoid ibuprofen. It should also be avoided during breast feeding.
Children: Usually ibuprofen is not recommended for children.
Other concerns: Because of possible stomach problems, avoid alcohol when taking ibuprofen. You should also avoid it for at least 3 days before surgery, because of the way it effects your blood.
It's a good idea to take ibuprofen with food, or at least milk.

For more on ibuprofen dosage, read the Medline Plus information here.

Ok, so what's my ibuprofen dosage?

Adults: 200-400mg every 4-6 hours, no more than 1200mg/day
Children (2-12): 7.5-10mg per kilogram (2.2lbs) of body weight every 6-8 hours, maximum 3 times per day. Do not exceed the adult dosage.
Children under 2: Talk to a doctor.

Ibuprofen usually starts working after about 30 minutes (up to 3 weeks for arthritis).

Ibuprofen is best taken with a full glass of water, and food if possible, unless your doctor says otherwise.

This ibuprofen dosage information comes from the book "Prescription & Over-the-Counter Drugs for Canadians" 2002 edition, put out through the Canadian Medical Association.

Where can I buy ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen can be bought at most pharmacies. Online, I recommend drugstore.com, which you can search directly from this website.

Ibuprofen is sold under various brand names, such as Advil, Motrin, Actiprofen, Genpril, Nuprin, Midol, Haltran, and

Novo-Profen. Several drugs have a combination of Ibuprofen and something else, such as Aleve Sinus & Headache.

As always, this article is for informational purposes only. Go to your doctor for medical advice. You can also talk to a pharmacist about ibuprofen dosage and other medications.

If this information about ibuprofen dosage was helpful, why not sign up for the free ezine, HeadWay? Every month you'll get current information on migraine and other headache, and treatments for them. Check it out!

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