How Many Advil Can I Take At Once?

In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses how many Advil can safely be taken per dose.

Question

My doctor told me to use Advil for a migraine issue I've been having, but they didn't tell me how much I can take at once. Can you help?

Asked by Amanda On Aug 12, 2022

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Aug 12, 2022
Last updated Mar 28, 2024

Key points

  • The maximum dose of Advil (ibuprofen) that can be taken at one time is 800mg (4 Advil caplets or Liqui-Gels).
  • However, if you are self-treating (without the direction of your doctor), the maximum amount of Advil recommended for over-the-counter use per dose is 400mg (2 Advil Caplets).

Answer

Hello and thanks for reaching out to us! Advil contains the drug ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and each caplet (or Liqui-Gel) of Advil contains 200mg ibuprofen.

Now, ibuprofen has different dosing recommendations depending on whether or not you are self-treating using over-the-counter ibuprofen or you are being directed by your doctor.

Overall, the maximum dose of ibuprofen that is recommended at one time is 800mg, or 4 Advil caplets. However, this dose should only be utilized if directed by your doctor. If you are self-treating, the maximum dose that is recommended is 400mg at one time, or 2 Advil caplets (liquid-gels) per dose.

Prescription Vs. Self-Treating With Ibuprofen

If you look at the packaging of any over-the-counter ibuprofen product, Advil included, it will say that the maximum dose is 2 caplets/tablets (400mg of ibuprofen) per dose:

Advil Drug Facts

However, for prescription ibuprofen, which comes in strengths of 400mg, 600mg, and 800mg per tablet,  the maximum amount per dose is 800mg (or 4 caplets of Advil).

So, why the difference in prescription versus over-the-counter use if we're talking about the same drug (ibuprofen)?

Ibuprofen, while a very effective drug, does have some side effects that are concerning with long-term use, and the use of high doses. For example, long-term use and high dosages can increase the risk of cardiovascular events and can increase the risk of stomach bleeds/ulcers.

Additionally, over-the-counter use of ibuprofen, which is intended for self-treatment without the requirement of a doctor providing direction, is generally only used for mild to moderate pain relief, and for the treatment of migraines. Higher dosages, such as is found with prescription products, tend to be more effective for more complex diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, which often needs treatment from your doctor.

Bottom-Line

You certainly can use over-the-counter Advil to attain prescription dosages, but the bottom line is over-the-counter use of Advil should be limited to 400mg per dose (2 Advil) unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If they direct you to take more, you can take up to 800mg (4 tablets) per dose.

Similarly, the maximum daily dosage of ibuprofen is 3,200mg but, again, if you are self-treating and are not under the supervision of a doctor, the maximum daily dose of over-the-counter ibuprofen recommended is 1,200mg (or 6 Advil caplets).

Final Words

Thanks for reaching out to us and please feel free to do so again in the future!

References

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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