How often can I take ibuprofen (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) 400mg?

Ibuprofen 400mg Dosing Frequency

Ibuprofen 400mg should be taken every 4-6 hours as needed for pain relief, not exceeding 3200mg total daily dose. 1

Recommended Dosing Schedule

• Ibuprofen 400mg can be taken every 4-6 hours as necessary for pain relief, according to the FDA drug label 1
• The duration of action of ibuprofen 400mg is at least 6 hours, making the 4-6 hour interval appropriate for maintaining analgesic effect 2
• For mild to moderate pain, 400mg every 4-6 hours is the recommended dosage, with no additional benefit shown at higher doses 1

Maximum Daily Dosage

• The total daily dose should not exceed 3200mg (which would be 400mg taken 8 times daily) 1
• Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual treatment goals to minimize adverse effects 1
• For acute conditions, a therapeutic response is typically seen within a few days to a week 1

Special Considerations

• If gastrointestinal complaints occur, administer ibuprofen with meals or milk to reduce irritation 1
• For specific conditions like dysmenorrhea, begin with the earliest onset of pain and take 400mg every 4 hours as needed 1
• When treating acute migraine, ibuprofen 400mg is suggested as an effective option 3

Safety Precautions

• Concurrent use of multiple NSAIDs (like taking ibuprofen and ketorolac together) increases the risk of serious adverse effects and should be avoided 4
• If switching between NSAIDs, wait at least 4-6 hours after taking ibuprofen before taking another NSAID like ketorolac 4
• For patients with cardiovascular disease, use ibuprofen with extra caution and for the shortest duration possible 4

Clinical Evidence

• In controlled analgesic clinical trials, doses of ibuprofen greater than 400mg were no more effective than the 400mg dose for pain relief 1
• Ibuprofen 400mg has been shown to be as effective as aspirin 600 or 900mg in models of moderate pain, but superior to aspirin or paracetamol in more sensitive pain models 2
• Intravenous ibuprofen studies have demonstrated that 800mg every 6 hours effectively reduces postoperative pain and opioid requirements 5

Remember that taking ibuprofen at the recommended intervals and not exceeding the maximum daily dose is crucial to minimize the risk of adverse effects while maintaining effective pain control.