From the Guidelines
Ibuprofen use should not exceed 10 days for acute pain and inflammation, and 30 days for chronic conditions, without reassessment by a healthcare provider. The maximum safe duration for ibuprofen use is generally considered to be up to 10 days for acute pain and inflammation, with a maximum daily dose of 1200mg to 2400mg, divided into 2-4 doses 1. For chronic conditions, the recommended duration of use may vary, but typically should not exceed 30 days without reassessment by a healthcare provider.
- Patients should be reviewed regularly, at least every 6 months, to assess their requirements for ibuprofen and to consider alternative treatments, such as paracetamol or co-codamol 1.
- The use of ibuprofen should be limited to the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration necessary to achieve adequate pain relief 1.
- Patients with increased gastrointestinal risk should be considered for alternative treatments or adjunctive therapies, such as acid suppression 1.
- The risk of adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal toxicity or renal impairment, should be minimized by not exceeding the recommended dose or duration without consulting a physician 1.
From the Research
Maximum Safe Duration for Ibuprofen Use
- The maximum safe duration for ibuprofen use is generally considered to be 10 days or fewer, as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration 2.
- A study published in 1999 found that ibuprofen at a maximum dose of 1200 mg/day for 10 days was well-tolerated in healthy subjects, with gastrointestinal adverse experiences similar to those in the placebo group 3.
- Another study published in 2016 found that short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, was relatively safe when prescribed at the most effective dose and for the shortest duration of time, which was defined as 10 days or fewer 2.
- A 2019 review of the literature on ibuprofen use in children found that the drug was effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of pain and inflammation, with a low risk of gastrointestinal toxicity 4.
- A 2019 study on the use of ibuprofen for the treatment of dengue fever found that the drug was associated with a low risk of bleeding events, even at high doses and for extended periods of time 5.
- A 2013 review of the literature on the use of ibuprofen and paracetamol for pain relief after surgical removal of lower wisdom teeth found that ibuprofen was a superior analgesic to paracetamol, with a lower risk of adverse events 6.
Key Findings
- Ibuprofen is generally considered safe for use at a maximum dose of 1200 mg/day for 10 days or fewer.
- Short-term use of ibuprofen is relatively safe, with a low risk of gastrointestinal toxicity and bleeding events.
- Ibuprofen is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of pain and inflammation in children and adults.
- The risk of adverse events associated with ibuprofen use is comparable to or lower than that of other NSAIDs and paracetamol.