Advil is a drug which is recommended for mild to moderate pain, soreness, swelling, and fever. It is generally available as an Over the Counter (OTC) drug, meaning that anyone can walk into a drugstore and purchase it. This can be risky, as there are dangers to excessive use of advil, and it is possible to overdose on the drug, potentially causing severe health problems. However, when used safely, the drug can be a very effective and useful pain management tool.
The drug was developed in the 1960s by the Boots Chemical Company, and it is marketed under a number of names. Motrin, Nurofen, and Ibuprofen are all forms of Advil. Commonly, the drug is found on the shelf near aspirin, since the two products are used for similar conditions. The drug tends to be less hard on the digestive system than aspirin, so people with ulcers and other stomach conditions may prefer advil for relief of minor aches and pains.
The generic name of the drug is a shortening of its chemical name, iso-butyl-propanoic-phenolic acid. The drug is considered a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication. Unlike a steroidal drug, advil can be safely used in the long term, as it does not carry as many harmful side effects as steroidal drugs do. When pain and inflammation are not severe, the drug can also be perfectly effective.
Extended or excessive use of advil can carry risks to the heart. It should not be used by people with serious heart conditions before being discussed with a doctor, and most surgeons recommend that it not be used when a patient is about to have heart surgery. Combining aspirin with advil may also be dangerous; the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highly recommends discussing advil use with a doctor for this reason.
An overdose of advil can result in severe gastrointestinal distress, characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The drug may also cause fluid retention, dizziness, headaches, nosebleeds, and rashes. By taking low doses of advil which conform with the recommended doses on the label, these symptoms can generally be avoided. If you find yourself taking advil for an extended period of time, you should consult a doctor, as you may have a serious condition which requires professional medical attention. Always disclose advil use when you are asked about recent medications, since it can interact with drugs prescribed by a doctor or used in a hospital.
The active ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen, part of a class of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is commonly found in many over-the-counter remedies as well as some prescription medicines.
Ibuprofen can provide some relief for suffers of rheumatoid arthritis. Use of the drug can reduce some of the pain and swelling but it will not alter the course of the disease.
Ibuprofen has been found to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Ibuprofen is thought to be able to reduce the amounts of beta-amyloid (a protein fragment whose accumulation is linked to the disease) that build–up in the brain. Whilst this information supports previous data which indicates that ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can slow down or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease, scientists say it may also introduce a new way of thinking about how ibuprofen protects the brain. About 20 studies carried out on people have shown that those who took NSAIDs for various reasons had a much lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those people who did not take NSAIDs. Evidence has shown that inflammation in the brain, prompted by amyloid deposits, activates immune cells and elicits harmful substances that destroy nerve cells. Ibuprofen is thought to interrupt this pathway of events.
Ibuprofen is much more effective than aspirin. To achieve the same anti-inflammatory effect 4000mg of aspirin needs to be administered whilst only 2400mg must be used in the case of ibuprofen. This again shows that ibuprofen is more useful than other drugs, as because it is present at lower concentrations in the body the chance of unwanted side effects are much less.
Ibuprofen is not addictive and so will not cause problems with people becoming dependent on it, this can occur with other painkillers. It also means that people will not build up a tolerance to the drug: meaning that they will not need larger and larger quantities of the drug to induce the same pain releasing effects.
An Advil overdose can manifest several types of symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress, neurological disturbances, and vision or hearing problems. Other signs of an Advil overdose include difficulty breathing and minimal or no urine production. Some, but not all, of these symptoms can be present in somebody who has taken too much Advil. If an overdose is suspected, it is important to seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
As ibuprofen is so accessible to the general public and is a common ingredient in so many remedies, both accidental and intentional overdoses can occur. Fortunately, if an Advil overdose victim receives medical treatment quickly, which may involve the administration of laxatives or activated charcoal by health care professionals, he can be expected to make a full recovery.
Digestive symptoms of an Advil overdose may include vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Some overdose victims may also experience intestinal or stomach bleeding. These gastrointestinal symptoms may be accompanied by visual or auditory disturbances such as blurred vision or a ringing sound in the ears. The victim may develop a rash, begin sweating profusely, or may have difficulty breathing. If the kidneys are affected, the victim may not produce any urine.
Neurological symptoms of an Advil overdose can be varied. A victim may suffer a headache, experience dizziness, and appear unsteady on his feet. Depending on the victim and the severity of the overdose, he may appear agitated or drowsy. In some cases, the victim may also become incoherent or confused and be difficult to understand. This can make it difficult to determine the cause of his symptoms or get his cooperation for receiving medical treatment. The victim may also lose consciousness or even slip into a coma.
If you suspect someone has overdosed on Advil and she can still communicate, it is often helpful if you can get some information from her such as the amount of Advil that she took as well as when she took it. If the patient took other drugs along with the Advil, including alcohol, it is important that health care professionals be told of this. If an overdose victim is unable to communicate or the situation seems extremely serious, contact emergency services even if you are unsure about the details of the overdose.
Advil may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use Advil just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
Advil may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking Advil, especially in older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not take more of Advil than is recommended. An overdose of advil can cause damage to your stomach or intestines. Use only the smallest amount of Advil needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever.
Do not use Advil just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Advil may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while you are taking Advil, especially in older adults.
You should not use Advil if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication if you have:
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
asthma;
polyps in your nose;
liver or kidney disease;
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
if you smoke.
FDA pregnancy category D. Taking Advil during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby. You must not use Advil if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether ibuprofen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Advil to a child without the advice of a doctor.
Use Advil exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not take more Advil than is recommended. An overdose of Advil can cause damage to your stomach or intestines. The maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800 milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses). Use only the smallest amount of Advil needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever. Take Advil with food or milk to lessen stomach upset. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The Advil chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
If you take Advil for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store Advil at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.
Since Advil is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.
Avoid taking Advil if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack. Advil can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use both medications, take the Advil at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin (non-enteric coated form). Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much ibuprofen. Check the label to see if a medicine contains ibuprofen or similar NSAIDs (aspirin, naproxen, ketoprofen). Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Advil: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Advil and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
black, bloody, or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
swelling or rapid weight gain;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
severe headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity to light, and/or seizure (convulsions).
Less serious Advil side effects may include:
upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;
bloating, gas;
dizziness, headache, nervousness;
skin itching or rash;
blurred vision; or
ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ask your doctor before using an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
aspirin or other NSAIDs such as naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;
heart or blood pressure medicine such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others;
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
steroids (prednisone and others); or
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Advil. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.