Brand name:
Pronounced: ADD-vill
Generic ingredients: Ibuprofen, Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride
Other brand names: Advil Flu & Body Ache Caplets, Motrin Cold & Flu Caplets, Motrin Sinus Headache Caplets, Motrin IB Sinus Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer/Nasal Decongestant, Vicks Dayquil Sinus Pressure & Pain Relief
With a combination of the painkiller ibuprofen and the decongestant pseudoephedrine, all of these sinus products temporarily relieve symptoms of the common cold, sinusitis (swelling and pain in the sinuses), and flu, including stuffy nose, fever, headache, and body aches and pains. A liquid form is available for children (see Children's Motrin Cold).
Take 1 pill every 4 to 6 hours as long as you have symptoms. If you do not feel better, you can take 2 pills, but do not take more than 6 pills in 24 hours unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have occasional mild heartburn, upset stomach, or stomach pain while using one of these products, take it with food or milk. If your stomach problems continue or get worse, call your doctor.
* STORAGE
Store at room temperature. Protect from excessive heat.
Check with your doctor before using these products if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, stomach pain, or an enlarged prostate gland.
If you are allergic to aspirin or acetaminophen, do not take these products. They could cause a similar reaction. Also avoid these products if you are taking a prescription drug classified as an "MAO inhibitor" (see "Possible food and drug interactions..." below). If you have had serious side effects from any nonprescription pain reliever, or you are taking other drugs on a regular basis, check with your doctor before using any of these products.
Do not give these products to children under 12 without your doctor's approval.
Avoid these products during the last 3 months of pregnancy. They could harm the unborn child or cause problems during delivery. Check with your doctor before taking these products at any time during pregnancy. Check, too, if you are under a doctor's care for any serious medical problem.
Stop taking these products and check with your doctor if pain or stuffy nose lasts more than 7 days or fever lasts more than 3 days. Do likewise if your symptoms get worse or new ones develop, if you suffer stomach pain, or if the medication triggers an allergic reaction.
If you become nervous or dizzy, or have trouble sleeping while taking one of these products, stop using it and call your doctor. In fact, if you have any symptoms that are unusual or seem to have nothing to do with the condition for which you took the product, talk to your doctor before taking any more of this medicine.
Check with your doctor before using these products if you consume 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day. The ibuprofen in these medications can cause stomach bleeding.
Do not use these products within 2 weeks of taking a drug classified as an MAO inhibitor, such as the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate.
Check with your doctor before combining these products with others containing ibuprofen or pseudoephedrine, other nonprescription pain relievers such as Aspirin or Tylenol, or other nasal decongestants, such as Sudafed or Vicks Sinex.