Help! I Accidentally Took Four Advil Tablets

Answer

Thanks for reaching out and I certainly understand your concern here!

While you did take more Advil (ibuprofen) than is recommended at one time if you are self-treating a condition (i.e., not under the supervision of a doctor), the dose you took (800mg) is actually still within the maximum dosing limits of the drug and if you are otherwise healthy, is considered a relatively safe dosage, so I wouldn't be too worried here.

Over-The-Counter And Prescription Ibuprofen Have Different Dosing Recommendations

Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that is available as both a prescription drug and an over-the-counter drug.

It's important to know that over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen has different dosing recommendations compared to prescription ibuprofen. OTC ibuprofen is intended for short-term use of lower, less severe levels of pain, while prescription ibuprofen may be used for longer periods of time, at higher doses, under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

• The recommended dosage for OTC Ibuprofen: 200-400mg every four to six hours. Maximum daily dosage 1,200mg.
• The recommended dosage for Prescription Ibuprofen: Up to 800mg every four to six hours. Maximum daily dosage 3,200mg.

The dosage recommendations for ibuprofen are all about patient safety as high doses, taken over an extended period of time, are associated with a greater risk of side effects.

Is 4 Advil Tablets (800mg Ibuprofen) Too Much At One Time?

Let's circle back to your question where you said you took 4 tablets of Advil, which equals 800mg of ibuprofen, and are worried this is too much.

Again, I wouldn't recommend taking that much if you are self-treating a condition not under the supervision of a doctor but you still did take a dose that is within the FDA-approved dosing for the drug, so I wouldn't really consider this an overdose. If you are otherwise healthy and don't have any conditions that could be exacerbated by ibuprofen (like stomach ulcers), it is unlikely you will experience any serious negative side effects.

As mentioned, higher doses of ibuprofen, taken over a long period of time, are associated with more side effects. So, just to provide some context here when I talk about side effects, the following are associated with high doses of ibuprofen when taken over long periods of time:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems: High doses or long-term use of NSAIDs can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, bleeding, and perforation of the stomach or intestines.
• Kidney problems: Long-term use of NSAIDs can lead to kidney damage. People with existing kidney problems are at increased risk.
• Cardiovascular issues: There is evidence that high doses or long-term use of certain NSAIDs may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

I want to reiterate that accidentally taking a one-time dose of 800mg ibuprofen (4 Advil) tablets likely won't cause you any problems (like the ones mentioned above) outside the possibility of some mild side effects, like stomach pain, as that dosage is still within a generally considered safe range. 

I know you said it was an accident, but if you find yourself needing more than 2 tablets of Advil at one time (400mg), or you need to take it consistently for weeks, please see a doctor so you can be appropriately evaluated and monitored.

Final Words

Thanks again for contacting us and I hope you found this helpful!