360 A: The maximum daily dosage of ibuprofen
is 3200 mg. This translates to 800 mg four times a day, taken every six hours. If stomach upset occurs, take each ibuprofen dose with milk or food. In general, it’s best to use the lowest effective dose of ibuprofen for the shortest duration of time. 360 About The Author
Sarah Lewis is a pharmacist and a medical writer with over 25 years of experience in various areas of pharmacy practice. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Last Updated: February 13, 2020 THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. View Sources
Taking too much ibuprofen can result in an overdose. This can cause dangerous side effects such as damage to your stomach or intestines. In rare cases, an overdose can be fatal. For this reason, you should always take it exactly as directed on the label or as recommended by your 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. Your recommended dose of ibuprofen depends on your age. For adultsThe recommended dosage for adults is one or two 200-milligram (mg) tablets every 4 to 6 hours. Adults should not exceed 800 mg at once or 3,200 mg per day. Adults over 60 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 childrenTo 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:
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. For babiesDo 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. Drug interactionsCertain 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:
Mixing ibuprofen with alcohol can also increase your risk of having serious side effects, like stomach or intestinal bleeding. 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:
Severe symptoms can include:
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:
You can also receive guidance by using the poison center’s webPOISONCONTROL online tool. TIP
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. 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:
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. An overdose of ibuprofen can cause severe problems in the gastrointestinal tract. These include:
Taking high doses of ibuprofen over long periods of time can also increase your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. 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 your doctor. Can I take 4 ibuprofen 3 times a day?The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets or capsules 3 times a day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of up to 600mg to take 4 times a day if needed. This should only happen under supervision of a doctor.
What happens if you take 2 too many ibuprofen?When taken too frequently or in too high dosages, NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can pose risks to your gastrointestinal system, kidneys and heart. These drugs can lead to thinning in the lining of the stomach, causing ulcers and GI bleeding.
Can I take ibuprofen 800 mg twice a day?To avoid the potential short- or long-term effects of taking too much ibuprofen, do not take more than your recommended dose. The absolute maximum daily dose for adults is 3200 mg. Do not take more than 800 mg in a single dose. Only use the smallest dose needed to alleviate your swelling, pain, or fever.
Can you take 3 ibuprofen at once?Adults can take one or two ibuprofen 200mg tablets (200mg to 400mg) three or four times daily if they need to. You should only take ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours. You should not take more than 6 tablets (1200mg) in total in one day if you have brought them over the counter, from a supermarket or drug store.
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