Brand name:

Advil

Pronounced: ADD-vill

Generic name: Ibuprofen

Other brand names: Motrin, Nuprin

What this drug is used for

These ibuprofen-based pain relievers can be used by both adults and children for headache, toothache, and the type of minor aches and pains that accompany a cold or flu. Adults can also use them for muscular aches, backache, minor arthritis pain, and menstrual cramps. The products also reduce fever.

The adult formulations are available in tablet, caplet, gelcap, and liquigel form. Advil and Motrin also come in the form of infants' drops, children's liquids and chewable tablets, and junior strength pills and chewable tablets.

Advil and Motrin are also marketed for migraine headaches under the brand names Advil Migraine Liquigels and Motrin Migraine Pain Caplets. The pills contain the same amount of ibuprofen as regular Advil and Motrin.

How should you take this medication?

If you find that this medication causes mild heartburn, upset stomach, or stomach pain, try taking it with food or milk.

* ADULTS
For adults and children 12 years and over, the usual dosage is 1 pill every 4 to 6 hours. If you do not feel better, you may increase the dosage to 2 pills, but do not take more than 6 pills each 24 hours.

For migraine, the usual dosage is 1 or 2 pills. Do not take more than 2 pills in 24 hours. If the headache fails to improve or gets worse, check with your doctor.

* CHILDREN
Doses may be repeated every 6 to 8 hours, up to a maximum of 4 times a day. Shake liquid products well before using. They come with measuring cups for accurate dosing. Infants' drops come with a calibrated dropper. When giving the drops, be sure to use only this dropper and follow dosage instructions carefully. The drops are more concentrated than other liquid formulations and can cause an overdose if used as a substitute.

Children 11 to 12
The usual dosage is 3 teaspoonfuls of children's liquid, three 100-milligram chewable tablets, six 50-milligram chewable tablets, or 3 junior strength pills.

Children 9 to 10
The usual dosage is 2.5 teaspoonfuls of children's liquid, two-and-a-half 100-milligram chewable tablets, five 50-milligram chewable tablets, 2 Junior Strength Advil tablets, or two-and-a-half Junior Strength Motrin caplets.

Children 6 to 8
The usual dosage is 2 teaspoonfuls of children's liquid, two 100-milligram chewable tablets, four 50-milligram chewable tablets, or 2 junior strength pills.

Children 4 to 5
The usual dosage is 1.5 teaspoonfuls of children's liquid or three 50-milligram chewable tablets.

Children 2 to 3
The usual dosage is 1 teaspoonful of children's liquid or two 50-milligram chewable tablets.

Infants 12 to 23 months
The usual dosage is 1.875 milliliters of infants' drops.

Infants 6 to 11 months
The usual dosage is 1.25 milliliters of infants' drops.

* STORAGE
Store at room temperature. Protect from high temperatures.

Do not take this medication if...

If aspirin or acetaminophen has ever given you a severe allergic reaction (asthma, swelling, shock, or hives), do not take these products. They could have a similar effect. Check with your doctor before using these products if you've had any side effects from other over-the-counter pain relievers.

Do not give these products to a child who has not been drinking fluids or has lost a great deal of fluid through vomiting or diarrhea. Unless your doctor approves, do not use these products for stomach pain in a child.

Special warnings about this medication

Stop taking this medication and call your doctor if you develop any unusual or unexpected new symptoms. Do likewise if the drug causes significant or lasting stomach problems, or triggers an allergic reaction.

Do not take this medication for more than 10 days for pain or 3 days for fever without your doctor's approval. (Limit its use in children to 3 days.) If the pain or fever won't go away or gets worse, or if you develop new symptoms or notice any redness or swelling, check with your doctor; you might have a serious condition.

You should also check with your doctor immediately if your child has a severe sore throat that lasts for more than 2 days, or the sore throat is accompanied or followed by fever, headache, rash, nausea, or vomiting. Do not use for sore throat in children under 3.

Do not take this medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy. It could harm the baby or cause complications during delivery. Earlier during pregnancy, and while nursing a baby, check with your doctor before taking any of these products.

If you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day, check with your doctor before taking this medication. It may cause stomach bleeding.

If you must avoid phenylalanine, check package labeling carefully. Several formulations include it.

Before using this medication for migraine, check with your doctor first if:

• You've never been diagnosed with migraine.
• The headache is different than usual or exceptionally bad.
• You have a fever and stiff neck.
• The headache begins after a head injury, exertion, coughing, or bending.
• Your headaches developed after age 50.
• The headaches occur daily.
• The headache is so severe as to require bed rest
• The headache is accompanied by vomiting

Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication

Unless your doctor approves, do not combine this medication with other pain relievers, including aspirin-containing products such as Ecotrin, Empirin, and Excedrin, acetaminophen-containing products such as Tylenol, Panadol, and TheraFlu, and other ibuprofen-containing products such as Advil Cold and Sinus.

Also check with your doctor before combining this medication with prescription drugs, especially the following:

Blood pressure medications known as ACE inhibitors, including Vasotec and Capoten
Blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin
Diuretics such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL
Lithium (Eskalith)
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)

Overdosage

Symptoms of ibuprofen overdose may include:
Abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, coma, drowsiness, headache, irregular heartbeat, kidney failure, low blood pressure, nausea, ringing in the ears, seizures, sluggishness, vomiting

If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.