Quick Answer
The maximum recommended dose of Advil (ibuprofen) is 1200mg per day, taken in doses of 200-400mg every 4-6 hours. For a healthy adult, the daily limit would be 6 tablets of 200mg Advil. However, it’s advisable to take the lowest effective dose for your symptoms. Taking too much Advil can increase the risk of side effects. Consult your doctor if you need to take Advil regularly or in high doses.
How Much Advil Can You Take in a Day?
Advil contains the active drug ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The recommended OTC dose for ibuprofen is 200-400mg every 4-6 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 1200mg.[1]
This means for standard 200mg Advil tablets, you should take:
– 1 tablet (200mg) every 4-6 hours as needed
– No more than 6 tablets (1200mg) per day
However, you may need less than the maximum daily amount. Only take as much Advil as you need to treat your symptoms.
Factors that Affect Safe Dosage
Several factors affect how much Advil you can safely take in a day:
- Your age – Lower doses recommended for children and older adults
- Health conditions – Dose adjustments if you have kidney/liver disease, hypertension, etc
- Other medications – May interact with Advil and require dose changes
- Duration of use – Not meant for long-term daily use due to side effects
- Your symptoms – Use lowest effective dose that relieves symptoms
Always read the dosage instructions on the Advil label carefully. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Is it Safe to Take 1200mg of Advil per Day?
While the maximum allowed dose of Advil in a day is 1200mg, taking the full amount daily long-term is not recommended for a few reasons:
Increased Side Effects
Higher doses of Advil raise the risk of potential side effects like:[2]
- Heartburn, stomach pain, ulcers
- Kidney problems
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Headaches
- Skin rash
- Increased bleeding risk
- Liver toxicity (rare)
These effects are more likely if Advil is used at high doses consistently for more than a week or two.
Medication Interactions
Taking the maximum amount of Advil daily also increases the risk of interactions with other medications you may be taking. Ibuprofen can alter the effects of:[3]
- Blood thinners
- Blood pressure medications
- Steroids
- Antidepressants
- Diuretics
- Lithium
Always let your doctor know about any OTC pain relievers you take regularly.
Masking Serious Conditions
Using Advil frequently at high doses can also mask the symptoms of more serious health problems. It’s important not to rely on Advil daily long-term to treat chronic or severe pain.
What are the Recommended Doses of Advil?
The dosing recommendations for Advil depend on your age and medical condition:[4]
Standard OTC Dosing
For adults and children over 12 years old:
– Take 200-400mg ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours as needed
– Do not exceed 1200mg (6 tablets) in 24 hours
– Take with food or milk to reduce stomach upset
Children’s Dosing
– Children under 6 months: Not recommended
– Children 6 months – 2 years: Ask a doctor
– Children 2-3 years: 100mg every 4-6 hours as needed, max 400mg/day
– Children 4-5 years: 150mg every 4-6 hours as needed, max 600mg/day
– Children 6-8 years: 200mg every 4-6 hours as needed, max 800mg/day
– Children 9-10 years: 200-300mg every 4-6 hours as needed, max 1000mg/day
– Children 11 years and older: 200-400mg every 4-6 hours as needed, max 1200mg/day
Reduced Dosing for Certain Groups
Lower maximum daily doses are recommended for:[5]
- Adults over age 65: max 800mg/day
- Adults under age 50 with stomach/kidney problems: max 1000mg/day
- Patients taking blood thinners: max 100mg/day
What are the Dangers of Too Much Advil?
Although rare, taking too much Advil can cause serious and even fatal complications. Overdose signs and symptoms include:[6]
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Drowsiness, dizziness, headache
- Rapid breathing
- Mental confusion, seizures
- Rapid heart rate, high blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Bleeding in the stomach, ulcers
- Liver damage (rare)
Taking more than the recommended amount of Advil also makes side effects like stomach bleeding more likely. Seek emergency care if you suspect an ibuprofen overdose.
Factors that Increase Overdose Risk
Certain factors increase the risk of toxicity from too much Advil:[7]
- Taking more than 1200mg per dose or per day
- Drinking alcohol – further increases stomach bleeding risk
- History of stomach ulcers or bleeding disorders
- Taking other NSAID pain relievers like aspirin or naproxen
- Older age – kidneys less efficient at clearing medication
- Impaired kidney function
- Taking certain anti-depressants (SSRIs)
To be safe, do not exceed the recommended Advil dosage for your age and health status. Combining Advil with alcohol or other NSAIDs also boosts adverse effects.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Taking Advil Daily?
While Advil can be safe for occasional short-term use, regular daily use over months or years can increase the risk of adverse effects. Potential long-term effects include:[8]
- Stomach ulcers and bleeding
- Kidney damage, up to kidney failure
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- Headaches or rebound headaches
- Changes in mood or cognition
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Using the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration can help minimize these potential issues with daily Advil use. Maximum dosing for more than 2 weeks is not recommended. Chronic pain should be evaluated by a doctor.
Who Should Not Take Advil Regularly?
Certain people should avoid frequent or long-term use of Advil and other NSAID medications:[9]
- People over age 65 – increased bleeding risk
- Individuals with stomach ulcers or GI bleeding
- Patients taking blood thinners or steroid medications
- People with kidney disease or impaired kidney function
- Patients with congestive heart failure (CHF)
- Individuals with high blood pressure
- People with bleeding disorders like hemophilia
For these higher-risk groups, occasional use may be ok but daily use can be dangerous. See a doctor about pain relief alternatives.
Signs You’re Taking Too Much Advil
Be alert for the following signs that may indicate you are overusing Advil or ibuprofen:[10]
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Vision changes
- Stomach pain, heartburn, nausea
- Vomiting blood or passing black stools
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fluid retention, rapid weight gain
- Fatigue, weakness
- Skin rash, itching
Discontinue Advil and contact your doctor if you experience these or other unusual symptoms with frequent use. Seek prompt medical help for vomiting blood, black stools, difficulty breathing or seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to take 6 Advil per day?
Taking 6 Advil (1200mg of ibuprofen) daily is the maximum allowed dose. While generally safe for short periods, continuous long-term use is not recommended due to increased risk of stomach ulcers, kidney problems, heart disease, headaches and other complications.
What happens if you take too much Advil in a day?
Exceeding the recommended Advil dosage can damage the stomach lining and kidneys. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, ringing ears and even kidney failure in severe overdoses. Taking Advil with alcohol also raises the risk of stomach bleeding.
Can I take Advil every 4 hours?
You can take standard 200mg Advil tablets every 4-6 hours as needed, up to 6 times per day. Allow at least 4 hours between doses. Be sure to take the lowest dose that provides pain or fever relief. Consider spacing doses farther apart if taking Advil for more than a few days in a row.
Is 800mg of Advil safe?
For most healthy adults, taking 800mg of Advil (4 tablets) is considered safe, though lower doses are often effective. The maximum per dose is 400mg or 2 tablets. Some adults over 65 or with medical conditions may need to limit Advil to lower doses like 200-400mg per dose or 600-800mg daily.
Can too much Advil cause liver damage?
Yes, exceeding the recommended dose of Advil and other NSAID medications can occasionally cause liver injury. Symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, itching, yellow skin or eyes. Liver problems from ibuprofen are rare but more likely at doses over 1200mg per day. Stop Advil and see a doctor if liver side effects develop.
The Bottom Line
The standard OTC dosage of Advil is 200-400mg every 4-6 hours as needed, with a maximum limit of 1200mg (6 tablets) per day. While safe for occasional use, high doses for chronic daily use can increase the risk of stomach, kidney, heart and other problems over time. To avoid complications, take the lowest effective Advil dose for the shortest duration. Consult a doctor for pain or conditions requiring regular, long-term medication.
