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SPOTLIGHT ON PHARMACY Harrison, Matthew MD; Jennings, Ann MD; Renfrew, Erin MD; Roop, Melissa MD Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Boise, ID The corresponding author is Melissa Roop;
[email protected]. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. doi: 10.1097/EBP.0000000000001527Do prescription doses of ibuprofen (600 or 800 mg per dose) provide greater analgesic effect for acute pain than over-the-counter doses (200 or 400 mg per dose)?
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Of all the over-the-counter medications, ibuprofen is my favorite. Unlike acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), it is an anti-inflammatory and not only reduces pain, but redness and swelling as well.
With summer in full swing, ibuprofen should be your go-to remedy for a sunburn. However, most patients I see are not aware of just how beneficial ibuprofen is for a burn, and will use aloe or Solarcaine instead. These products will provide some pain relief, but they don't actually do anything to promote healing. the healing cause pain. On the other hand, ibuprofen will reduce both the swelling and redness from the burn. For optimal relief, I tell patients to combine a standard dose ibuprofen with a topical analgesic of their choice.
Ibuprofen is a wonderful medication, but you can have too much of a good thing. The directions on the label will read to take two tablets (400mg) every six hours for a maximum daily intake of 1200mg. No matter which brand you purchase, all ibuprofen tablets are the same strength, 200mg. If you were to take three tablets that would total 600mg, and if you took four tablets that would be 800mg. Prescription ibuprofen uses the same exact ingredient and is available as one tablet in three different strengths: 400mg, 600mg, and 800mg. The only difference between over-the-counter ibuprofen and prescription ibuprofen is that you have to take two to four tablets at each dose instead of just one prescription tablet. Assuming you have no complications or contraindications, the absolute maximum amount of milligrams per day you can take is 1200mg (6 tablets) of over-the-counter ibuprofen and 3200mg (4 tablets of 800mg strength) of prescription ibuprofen.
Long-term use of ibuprofen is generally not recommended. It can tear away at the lining of your stomach potentially causing pain, acid reflux, ulcer formation, and dark stools (indication of internal bleeding). Therefore, be sure to talk with your physician or pharmacist about how long you should take ibuprofen.
Motrin Product Description
Drug Uses
Motrin belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Motrin provides a combined therapeutic effect including anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects.
Motrin is used to relieve pain in the back, joints, muscles, headache, toothache and pain due to damage or stretch in the connective tissues. In addition, Motrin helps to reduce the frequency and duration of symptoms of primary or secondary dysmenorrhea, cold and flu.
Maximum symptomatic responses to Motrin is reached in about 60 minutes after oral administration. For the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain, it is recommended to take a dose of Motrin 300mg or 400mg every 4 hours. To facilitate the acute pain single doses of Motrin 800 mg may be used, but no more than 3200mg of the drug per day.
Missed dose
If you’ve missed an assigned dosage of Motrin, take the NSAID as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for the next dose of Motrin, do not take it at all. Resume the prescribed dosage of Motrin on the next day.
More Information
Motrin prevents the development of the active lipid compound prostaglandin, which is believed to be a major mediator of pain and inflammation. Prostaglandin participates in a wide range of body functions, so the duration of application of Motrin pills should be minimized.
Storage
Analgesic agent Motrin should be stored in a tightly closed container at controlled room temperature up to 25°C.
Motrin Safety Information
Warnings
Dosage requirements in patients with different types of pain and inflammation may vary from day to day, according to the analgesic response, disease exacerbation, physical and emotional stress. Minimum effective doses of Motrin are recommended to patients with a history of edema, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Disclaimer
All information, provided in the review of anti-inflammatory agent Motrin, is intended for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice of the therapist or other medical specialist. The online pharmacy under no circumstances shall be liable for any damage, which may be caused due to improper use of the information on antipyretic agent Motrin.
Motrin Side Effects
Any undesirable effects are reported as rare during application of Motrin pills and normally do not cause harm to the body. From 1% to 3% of patients, taking Motrin, may complain of such undesirable effects as: decreased appetite, water retention, nausea, pyrosis, diarrhea, abdominal distress, dyspepsia, vomiting, headache, nervousness, dizziness, rash, pruritus, tinnitus, or weakness.
A small part of the patients taking Motrin may observe the following undesirable effects: depression, insomnia, confusion, somnolence, urticaria, hair loss, melena, gastritis, hepatitis, lazy eye, blurred vision, neutropaenia or hypothermia.