Advil

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Advil. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Advil:

• Take Advil tablets with food or milk to reduce stomach upset.
• Shake the oral suspension before measuring a dose. Use the included dosing syringe or a pharmaceutical dose-measuring instrument.
• You must chew the chewable pill before swallowing it.

The most common side effects of Advil seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo include:

• Nausea or vomiting.
• Gas or heartburn
• Dizziness.
• Headaches.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Advil. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help: Stop taking the medication if you experience the following:

• Vision changes.
• Shortness of breath or chest pain.
• Swelling or rapid weight gain.
• A skin rash or hives.
• Signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that resembles coffee grounds.
• Liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored feces, and jaundice.
• Anemia (low red blood cells) - pale skin, light-headedness or shortness of breath, high heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.
• Kidney problems.

These are not all of Advil's possible side effects. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Advil, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, such as:

• Advil can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. Do not take this medication immediately before or after cardiac bypass surgery/heart surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
• May also induce stomach or intestinal bleeding problems, which is potentially lethal. These symptoms can develop unexpectedly when taking this medication, particularly in older persons.
• Do not take Advil if you are allergic to ibuprofen, or if you have ever experienced an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

Ask your healthcare provider if this medication is safe to take, if you have ever had:

• Heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking.
• A heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.
• Stomach ulcers or bleeding.
• Diseases of the liver or kidneys.
• Asthma.
• If you use aspirin to avoid a heart attack or stroke.

Consult a healthcare provider before using any other medications for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain medications comparable to ibuprofen (aspirin, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

• Avoid taking aspirin unless your doctor tells you to and avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
• If you also take aspirin to prevent strokes or heart attacks, taking ibuprofen may reduce aspirin's effectiveness in protecting your heart and blood arteries. If you use both medications, take ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after taking aspirin (non-enteric coated).

The majority of your ibuprofen dose is absorbed into your bloodstream after around 30 minutes. However, it may take several hours before you receive relief from fever or minor discomfort. Long-term pain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, can take 1 to 2 weeks to notice less inflammation. Ibuprofen's effects normally last around 6 hours.

When Advil is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking, including:

• Cyclosporine.
• Lithium.
• Methotrexate.
• Blood thinners - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.
• Heart or blood pressure medication, especially a diuretic or "water pill".
• Steroid medications (such as prednisone).
• Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally regarded as safe to consume together. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) treat pain and fever in slightly different ways. If either medicine alone isn't effective in relieving pain, some clinicians may recommend taking both or alternating between the two.

An ibuprofen overdose might harm your stomach and intestines. Adults can take up to 800 milligrams of ibuprofen every dose, or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses).

The dose of ibuprofen prescribed to a child is determined by his or her age and weight. Follow the dose guidelines for Junior Strength Advil based on your child's age and weight.

Because Advil is used as needed, you may not be following a dose regimen. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missing dose. Do not use two dosages at the same time.

Overdose symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody feces, coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.

Advil is found in many OTC dosage forms and strengths, including:

• Tablet (200 mg)
• Capsule (Advil Liqui-Gel) (200 mg)
• Chewable tablet (100 mg)
• Oral suspension (liquid)
• 50 mg/1.25 mL
• 100 mg/5 mL

It is also found in several combination products including Advil PM (ibuprofen/diphenhydramine) and Advil Dual Action (ibuprofen/acetaminophen).

Store at room temperature, free from moisture and heat, and away from the reach of children. Do not let the liquid medicine freeze.

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is the manufacturer of Advil since 2013.

There are several generic versions of Advil.

Talk to your healthcare provider to stop taking Advil, as they can help you create a plan to stop safely.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

If you are pregnant, do not take ibuprofen unless your doctor advises you to. Taking an NSAID in the last 20 weeks of pregnancy might cause major heart or renal problems in the unborn baby, as well as pregnancy difficulties.

It is typically considered safe to take up to the daily recommended dose of ibuprofen while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.