What is the frequency and dosage of administration?

From the Guidelines

The frequency and dosage of medication for asthma exacerbations should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider or according to the instructions on the package label, with specific dosing schedules and amounts determined based on factors such as the medication's half-life, body weight, age, kidney and liver function, and the condition being treated.

Medication Dosage and Frequency

The dosage and frequency of medication can vary depending on the specific medication being referred to. For example,

• Albuterol can be taken as a nebulizer solution (0.15 mg/kg every 20 minutes for 3 doses then 0.15-0.3 mg/kg up to 10 mg every 1-4 hours as needed) or as an MDI (4-8 puffs every 20 minutes for 3 doses then every 1-4 hours as needed) 1.
• Levalbuterol can be taken as a nebulizer solution (0.075 mg/kg every 20 minutes for 3 doses then 0.075-0.15 mg/kg up to 5 mg every 1-4 hours as needed) or as an MDI (with the same dosage as albuterol) 1.
• Ipratropium bromide can be taken as a nebulizer solution (0.25-0.5 mg every 20 minutes for 3 doses then as needed) or as an MDI (4-8 puffs every 20 minutes as needed up to 3 hours) 1.

Important Considerations

It's essential to consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you're uncertain about how often or how much of a medication to take, as improper dosing can be dangerous and potentially harmful to your health. Taking more medication than prescribed or taking it more frequently can lead to side effects or toxicity, while taking less than prescribed may result in inadequate treatment.

Additional Guidance

For specific guidance on medication dosage and frequency, it's best to refer to the most recent and highest quality study, such as the one published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2009 1. This study provides detailed information on the dosages of various medications for asthma exacerbations, including albuterol, levalbuterol, and ipratropium bromide.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of ibuprofen tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use ibuprofen tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see WARNINGS] After observing the response to initial therapy with ibuprofen tablets, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs. Do not exceed 3200 mg total daily dose. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, including flare-ups of chronic disease: Suggested Dosage: 1200 mg to 3200 mg daily (400 mg, 600 mg or 800 mg tid or qid). Mild to moderate pain: 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as necessary for relief of pain. Dysmenorrhea: For the treatment of dysmenorrhea, beginning with the earliest onset of such pain, ibuprofen tablets should be given in a dose of 400 mg every 4 hours as necessary for the relief of pain.

The dosage of ibuprofen tablets can be taken as follows:

• For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: 1200 mg to 3200 mg daily, divided into 400 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg doses, taken three or four times a day.
• For mild to moderate pain: 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as necessary.
• For dysmenorrhea: 400 mg every 4 hours as necessary. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 3200 mg 2.

From the Research

Dosage and Frequency

• The optimal dosage and frequency of acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen are not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but some information can be inferred from the texts:
  • A study from 2007 3 found that higher doses of aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol were more effective than lower doses in analgesic studies.
  • The same study 3 reported that the number-needed-to-treat (NNT) for higher over lower dose was 16 for aspirin, 10 for ibuprofen, and 9 for paracetamol.
• Another study from 2002 4 compared the gastrointestinal tolerability of ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin at over-the-counter doses and found that ibuprofen had a lower incidence of GI adverse events than aspirin.

Safety and Efficacy

• A study from 2001 5 discussed the safety and efficacy of acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen independently and in combination with prescription dosage forms, highlighting the importance of patient-specific cautions and potential drug interactions.
• A study from 2023 6 analyzed national guidelines and found that strong recommendations were often made with low certainty evidence, which may impact the safety and efficacy of treatment protocols.

Specific Considerations

• A study from 2025 7 discussed the use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and noted that recent guidelines recommend aspirin only for people aged 40 to 59 with a 10-year CVD risk of 10% or greater.
• The study from 2002 4 also found that women and patients with a history of non-ulcer GI disease were more likely to experience GI adverse events, which should be considered when determining dosage and frequency.