Recommended Dosage of Febrex Plus (Ibuprofen) for Fever Reduction
For fever reduction, the recommended dosage of Febrex Plus (ibuprofen) is 400 mg every 4-6 hours, not exceeding 2400 mg per day. 1, 2
Dosing Guidelines for Adults
- For fever reduction, ibuprofen 400 mg should be administered every 4-6 hours as necessary 1
- The maximum daily dose should not exceed 2400 mg (though the absolute maximum is 3200 mg for severe conditions) 2
- The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration consistent with treatment goals 2
- Administration with meals or milk is recommended if gastrointestinal complaints occur 2
Comparative Efficacy
- Ibuprofen is slightly more effective than paracetamol for fever reduction in adults 1
- At standard doses, ibuprofen shows similar effectiveness to paracetamol in reducing fever within the first 30 minutes of administration 3
- For bacterial fever specifically, a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen may be more effective than paracetamol alone in the first hour of treatment 4
Special Considerations
- For children with fever, ibuprofen should be dosed at 10 mg/kg per dose, with a maximum of three doses in 24 hours 5
- When treating hyperpyrexia (very high fever), ibuprofen is superior to paracetamol for reducing fever 1
- In patients with impaired renal function, the dosage should be reduced to avoid potential adverse effects 2
Safety Profile
- At low doses (800-1200 mg/day), ibuprofen has a good safety profile comparable to paracetamol 6
- The short plasma half-life and lack of pathologically related metabolites contribute to ibuprofen's relatively low toxic potential 6
- Caution is advised in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular disease, or renal impairment 2
Common Pitfalls and Caveats
- Exceeding the recommended maximum dose increases the risk of adverse effects, particularly gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications 2, 6
- Studies show that the recommended maximum number of doses is exceeded in approximately 11% of cases, highlighting the importance of clear dosing instructions 5
- Ibuprofen should be avoided in patients with aspirin/NSAID-induced asthma 1
- While effective for symptom relief, antipyretics do not prevent febrile seizures or reduce their recurrence risk 7
When treating fever, remember that the antipyretic effect is only one component of care. The underlying cause of fever should be identified and treated appropriately, with ibuprofen serving as symptomatic management rather than definitive treatment 1.