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What is Advil: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Apr 16, 2024  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Advil overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Advil, Advil Children's, Advil Liqui-Gels, Advil Migraine, Children's Motrin, Concentrated Motrin Infants' Drops, Genpril, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Ibuprofen Junior Strength, Good Neighbor Tab-Profen, Ibu, IBU, IBU-200, Ibuprohm, I-Prin, Junior Strength Advil

Generic Names:

  • Ibuprofen

Uses:

  • Treats pain and fever. This medicine is an NSAID.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Central Nervous System Agent, Musculoskeletal Agent, Antirheumatic, Antimigraine, Analgesic

Forms:

  • Chewable Tablet, Tablet, Suspension, Liquid Filled Capsule, Capsule

What is Advil used for?

Advil is a prescribed as a pain reliever. It targets the chemical (prostaglandins), which increase when you feel pain. It minimizes the production of prostaglandins, reducing pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as headaches, menstrual cramps, toothache, or minor injuries.

What form(s) does Advil come in

  • Chewable Tablet

  • Tablet

  • Suspension

  • Liquid Filled Capsule

  • Capsule

Common Advil prescriptions

  • Advil
    10 tablets bottle

  • Advil
    100 tablets bottle

  • Advil
    100 tablets of 200mg bottle

  • Advil
    120 capsules bottle

  • Advil
    160 capsules bottle

  • Advil
    20 capsules bottle

  • Advil
    200 capsules bottle

  • Advil
    200 tablets bottle

  • Advil
    24 tablets bottle

  • Advil
    24 tablets of 200mg bottle

  • Advil
    300 tablets of 200mg bottle

  • Advil
    40 capsules bottle

  • Advil
    50 tablets bottle

  • Advil
    50 tablets of 200mg bottle

  • Advil
    80 capsules bottle

  • Advil
    2 capsules box

  • Advil
    50 pack of 2 tablets 200mg box

How to take Advil

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Take one tablet, capsule, or gel capsule with a full glass of water.

  • Continue taking one tablet, capsule, or gel capsule every four to six hours as long as symptoms last.

  • If one tablet, capsule, or gel capsule does not provide enough symptom relief, you can double the dose to two tablets, capsules, or gel capsules every six hours.

  • Advil can be taken with food or on an empty stomach. If it gives you an upset stomach, you can take Advil with food or milk. 

What to do if you miss a dose of Advil

  • If you take this medicine regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Advil contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction (including asthma) to ibuprofen, aspirin, or another NSAID, or right before or after heart surgery.

Advil warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, lupus or a similar connective tissue disease, or a history of ulcers or other digestion problems. Tell your doctor if you smoke or have heart or blood circulation problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure (CHF), or bleeding problems.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use this medicine during the later part of pregnancy.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Trouble seeing, blind spots, change in how you see colors

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Bleeding and ulcers in the stomach or intestinesHigher risk of heart attack or strokeLiver damageKidney damageVision problems

  • Call your doctor if symptoms get worse, pain lasts more than 10 days, or fever lasts more than 3 days.

  • This medicine might contain sugar or phenylalanine (aspartame).

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, bloody or black, tarry stools

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain

Advil interactions

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

  • This medicine might contain sugar or phenylalanine (aspartame).

  • Call your doctor if symptoms get worse, pain lasts more than 10 days, or fever lasts more than 3 days.

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Do not use any other NSAID medicine unless your doctor says it is okay. Some other NSAIDs are aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen, or celecoxib.

  • Some foods and medicine can affect how ibuprofen works. Tell your doctor if you are also using lithium, methotrexate, a blood thinner (such as warfarin), a steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, prednisolone, prednisone), a diuretic (water pill), or an ACE inhibitor blood pressure medicine.

Advil side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, rapid weight gain

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate

  • Chest pain, trouble breathing, weakness on one side of your body, severe headache, trouble seeing or talking, pain in your lower leg

  • Severe stomach pain, vomiting blood, bloody or black, tarry stools

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness

  • Trouble seeing, blind spots, change in how you see colors

  • Fever, neck pain, stiff neck

  • Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Constipation, diarrhea, gas, mild upset stomach

  • Dizziness, headache, ringing in the ears

Advil News & Research

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Apr 16, 2024  by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
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Apr 14, 2024  by Ashley Broadwater
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Is Motrin the same as ibuprofen?

Apr 12, 2024  by Wendy Wisner
Motrin is the brand name of ibuprofen and both treat similar conditions. Find out more about how these two NSAIDs differ and compare here.
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