Can You Take Two Tablets of Advil Every 6 Hours?
Yes, taking two 200mg tablets of Advil (400mg total) every 6 hours is safe and appropriate for most adults, as this falls well within the FDA-approved maximum daily dose of 3200mg and represents the standard effective dose for acute pain management. 1
Standard Dosing Guidelines
The FDA-approved dosing for ibuprofen is 400mg every 4-6 hours as needed for pain relief. 1 This means:
- Two 200mg tablets (400mg total) every 6 hours = 1600mg per day maximum
- This is exactly half of the maximum daily dose of 3200mg 1
- The 400mg dose has been proven as effective as higher doses (600-800mg) for most acute pain conditions 2
Duration of Safe Use
For over-the-counter use without medical supervision, limit ibuprofen to 10 days maximum. 3, 4
- At 400mg every 6 hours, you can safely use this regimen for 5-10 days for acute pain 3
- Beyond 2 weeks requires medical monitoring every 3 months (blood pressure, kidney function, liver tests, complete blood count, fecal occult blood) 3
When This Dose Is NOT Safe
Avoid or use extreme caution if you have: 3, 4
- Age over 60 years - significantly increased risk of all adverse effects 3
- History of peptic ulcer disease - 5% risk of recurrent bleeding within 6 months 3
- Kidney disease - NSAIDs can worsen renal function 3
- Heart failure or cardiovascular disease - avoid entirely 5, 3
- Taking blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, other anticoagulants) - increases bleeding risk 5-6 times 3
- Taking other NSAIDs - never combine ibuprofen with naproxen, ketorolac, or other NSAIDs 6
- Asthma with history of nasal polyps - risk of severe bronchospasm 3
Critical Safety Rules
Stop ibuprofen immediately and seek medical attention if: 3
- Black or bloody stools (gastrointestinal bleeding)
- Decreased urine output or swelling (kidney injury)
- Worsening blood pressure
- Severe stomach pain
- Worsening asthma symptoms
Timing With Other Medications
If taking low-dose aspirin for heart protection: 3
- Take ibuprofen at least 30 minutes AFTER immediate-release aspirin, OR
- Take ibuprofen at least 8 hours BEFORE aspirin
- Ibuprofen can block aspirin's cardioprotective effects if taken incorrectly
Never combine with other NSAIDs (naproxen/Aleve, ketorolac/Toradol, diclofenac) - this dramatically increases toxicity without improving pain relief 6
Alternative Considerations
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safer for high-risk patients: 3
- Up to 3000mg daily (650mg every 6 hours)
- No gastrointestinal, kidney, or cardiovascular risks
- Slightly less effective than ibuprofen but much safer long-term 3
You can alternate ibuprofen with acetaminophen for better pain coverage without exceeding maximum doses of either medication 6
Bottom Line
Your proposed regimen of 400mg every 6 hours (two 200mg tablets) is safe, effective, and FDA-approved for most healthy adults under age 60 without the contraindications listed above. 1, 4 This dose provides optimal pain relief with minimal risk when used for short-term acute pain (under 10 days). 3, 7