Is It Possible to Overdose on Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (OTC NSAID) used to relieve inflammation, fever, and mild pain.
People take this medication to treat:
headaches
back pain
toothaches
arthritis
menstrual cramps
fevers
Brand names for ibuprofen include Motrin and Advil.
You should always take ibuprofen exactly as directed on the label or as recommended by a doctor.
If you think that you or someone you know has overdosed on ibuprofen, contact your local poison center or your local emergency services. In the United States, you can reach the poison center by calling 1-800-222-1222.
Recommended dosage
Your recommended dose of ibuprofen depends on your age.
For adults
The recommended dosage for adults is one to two 200-milligram (mg) tablets (400 mg per dose) every four to six hours. Adults should not exceed 3200mg in 24 hours.
Adults over 65 years old should take as little ibuprofen as possible to manage their symptoms. Older adults have a higher risk of kidney and gastrointestinal side effects.
For children
To determine the safe dosage for children, you need to know the child's weight and the formulation of ibuprofen you're using.
Ibuprofen for children is available in:
infant drops
liquids
chewable tablets
Liquid measurements are given in milliliters (mL). Make sure to read the label and measure carefully.
Never give your child more than four doses in one day. The following chart shows how much ibuprofen a child can consume depending on their weight.
Weight 50-mg/1.25-mL infant drops dosage 100-mg/5-mL liquid dosage 50-mg/1 chewable tablet dosage
12 to 17 pounds 1.25 mL (50 mg) Ask your doctor Ask your doctor
18 to 23 pounds 1.875 mL (75 mg) Ask your doctor Ask your doctor
24 to 35 pounds 2.5 mL (100 mg) 5 mL (100 mg) 2 tablets (100 mg)
36 to 47 pounds 3.75 mL (150 mg) 7.5 mL (150 mg) 3 tablets (150 mg)
48 to 59 pounds 5 mL (200 mg) 10 mL (200 mg) 4 tablets (200 mg)
60 to 71 pounds n/a 12.5 mL (250 mg) 5 tablets (250 mg)
72 to 95 pounds n/a 15 mL (300 mg) 6 tablets (300 mg)
over 95 pounds n/a 20 mL (400 mg) 8 tablets (400 mg)
For babies
Do not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months old.
For infants ages 6 months to 1 year, the safe dose of the infant formulation depends on their weight.
Weight 50-mg/1.25-mL infant drops dosage
under 12 pounds Ask your doctor before administering this medication.
12 to 17 pounds 1.25 mL (50 mg)
18 to 23 pounds 1.875 mL (75 mg)
Drug interactions
Certain medications can increase your risk of having an overdose of ibuprofen.
According to research, do not take any of the following medications with ibuprofen without first talking with your doctor:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can interfere with the metabolism of NSAIDs while also increasing pain and bleeding
antihypertensives, which are medications for high blood pressure that may increase the risk of kidney damage
aspirin, which may increase the risk of serious side effects
diuretics (water pills), which increase the risk of kidney failure when combined with ibuprofen
lithium, which increases the risk of toxicity
methotrexate, which increases the risk of toxicity
anticoagulants (blood thinners), such as warfarin, because they can increase your risk of serious gastrointestinal bleeding
Mixing ibuprofen with alcohol can also increase your risk of having serious side effects, like stomach or intestinal bleeding.
Symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose
Not everyone will experience symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose right away. Some people won't have any visible symptoms at all.
If you do experience symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose, they're usually mild. Mild symptoms may include:
tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
heartburn
nausea
vomiting
stomach pain
diarrhea
dizziness
blurred vision
rash
sweating
Severe symptoms can include:
difficult or slow breathing
convulsions
hypotension (low blood pressure)
seizures
little to no urine production
severe headache
bleeding in the stomach
coma
What should you do if you suspect an overdose?
If you or someone you know has taken more than the maximum recommended dose of ibuprofen, contact your local poison center. In the United States, you can reach the poison center by calling 1-800-222-1222. You can call this number 24 hours a day. Stay on the line for further instructions.
If possible, have the following information ready:
the person's age, height, weight, and gender
how much ibuprofen was ingested
when the last dose was taken
whether the person also took other drugs, supplements, or had any alcohol
You can also receive guidance by using the poison center's webPOISONCONTROL online tool.
TIP
Text 'POISON' to 202-677-7600 to save the contact information for poison control to your smartphone.
If you can't access a phone or computer, go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Do not wait until symptoms start. Some people who overdose on ibuprofen will not show symptoms right away.
Treating an overdose
At the hospital, doctors will monitor breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs. A doctor may insert a tube through the mouth to look for internal bleeding.
You may also receive the following treatments:
medications that make you throw up
decontamination of the stomach with activated charcoal
benzodiazepines to control seizures
breathing support, such as oxygen or a breathing machine (ventilator)
intravenous fluids
antihypertensive medications to reduce blood pressure
Children who consume more than 400 mg/kilogram (kg) of ibuprofen are at a higher risk of overdose and will likely require hospitalization. If they consume 100 mg/kg or less, they may be monitored at home.
Complications of an ibuprofen overdose
An overdose of ibuprofen can cause severe problems in the gastrointestinal tract. These include:
inflammation
bleeding
ulcers
stomach or intestinal perforation, which can be fatal
liver or kidney failure
Taking high doses of ibuprofen over long periods of time can also increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
Takeaway
Taking too much ibuprofen can result in an overdose.
With prompt medical treatment, you're likely to recover from an ibuprofen overdose. However, some people develop liver, kidney, or stomach issues. People with a prior history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding should not take NSAIDS like ibuprofen.
Always read product labels carefully and take the smallest amount of ibuprofen possible that will help relieve your symptoms.
An adult should not take more than 3,200 mg of ibuprofen per day. A safe dose for children is much less than that. If you or someone you know has taken more than the recommended dose, call your local poison center or your local emergency services.
If you experience symptoms of an ulcer after taking ibuprofen, stop taking ibuprofen and call a doctor.
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