Patient FAQs

Patients want to know…

What drug class is ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen belongs to the class of drugs called NSAIDs, which are analgesics (pain relievers). That stands for non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What brands include ibuprofen?
Advil^® and Motrin^® are the most well-known brands of ibuprofen, an NSAID.¹

Counseling tip:

• Your patients may be more familiar with brand names than active ingredients and may not realize that there are more than 900 OTC and prescription medicines that contain an NSAID. Remind your patients to take ONLY 1 medicine that contains an NSAID at a time to avoid harmful side effects (such as stomach bleeding). Download this list of common medicine brands with products that contain an NSAID and discuss the importance of checking medicine ingredients on the Drug Facts label with your patients.

What is the maximum OTC daily ibuprofen dosage?
For ibuprofen, do not take more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours unless a healthcare professional directs you to take more. If you exceed that daily maximum, it increases your risk of stomach bleeding and other harmful side effects.

Counseling tip:

• Help patients dose properly. Download an OTC pain reliever dosing chart to guide your discussion and help patients find the correct dosing at home.

A doctor prescribed 800­­ mg ibuprofen pills for me in the past. Why can’t I take that same dosage now to relieve the pain that I have?
There are two different strengths of ibuprofen: OTC and prescription. Prescription-strength ibuprofen should be used only when prescribed to you by a healthcare professional. For all other situations, it’s important to read the entire Drug Facts label and follow the dosing directions. It is always best to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time to avoid harmful side effects.

Patients want to know…

What drug class is aspirin?
Aspirin belongs to the class of drugs called NSAIDs, which are analgesics (pain relievers). That stands for non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What brands include aspirin?
The most well-known brands of aspirin (an NSAID) include Bayer^®, Bufferin^®, and Anacin^®.¹

What is the maximum daily aspirin dosage?
Do not take more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours. If you exceed that daily limit, it increases your risk of stomach bleeding and other harmful side effects. It’s important to remember to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time.

Counseling tip:

• Download an OTC pain reliever dosing chart to guide your discussion and help patients find the correct dosing at home.

I am taking aspirin every day to help protect against heart attack or stroke. Is there anything I should consider when trying to manage my pain with OTC pain relievers?
Taking ibuprofen may decrease the heart health benefit of aspirin. So if you’re taking aspirin for cardiovascular protection, consider whether a pain reliever other than ibuprofen may be more appropriate for you.

If you take more than 1 medicine that contains an NSAID, it increases the risk of stomach bleeding.

Counseling tip:

• 50 million adults take aspirin for its cardiovascular benefits.² In one study of adults on aspirin heart therapy, only 12% were aware of ibuprofen’s interference with aspirin’s cardioprotective benefits.¹ Talk to your patients about the most appropriate OTC pain reliever choices for them.

Patients want to know…

What drug class is naproxen sodium?
Naproxen sodium belongs to the class of drugs called NSAIDs, which are analgesics (pain relievers). That stands for non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What brands include naproxen sodium?
The most well-known brand of OTC naproxen sodium (an NSAID) is Aleve^®.¹

What is the maximum naproxen sodium daily dosage?
Do not take more than 660 mg in 24 hours. With naproxen sodium, there are 2 important dosage limits to know:

• Do not take more than 3 pills in 24 hours
• Also, do not take more than 2 pills within any 8 to 12 hour period

If you exceed these limits, it increases your risk of stomach bleeding and other harmful side effects. It’s important to remember to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time.

Counseling tip:

• Download an OTC pain reliever dosing chart to guide your discussion and help patients find the correct dosing at home

Patients want to know…

What drug class is acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen belongs to the class of drugs called analgesics (pain relievers).

What brands include acetaminophen?
Well-known brands that contain acetaminophen are Tylenol^® and Excedrin^®.¹

Counseling tip:

• Your patients may be more familiar with brand names than active ingredients and may not realize that there are more than 500 OTC and prescription medicines that contain acetaminophen. Remind your patients to take ONLY 1 medicine that contains acetaminophen at a time to avoid harmful side effects (such as liver damage). Download this list of common medicine brands with products that contain acetaminophen and discuss the importance of checking medicine ingredients on the Drug Facts label with your patients.

What is the maximum daily acetaminophen dosage?
The max dose of acetaminophen is 4,000 mg in 24 hours. Taking more than this amount in 24 hours is an acetaminophen overdose and could harm your liver.

Counseling tip:

• Your patients may have questions about the acetaminophen maximum daily dose given that certain acetaminophen-containing OTC product labels include a lower total daily dose.  Share with your patients that you may use your discretion to recommend acetaminophen up to 4,000 mg in a 24-hour period for a patient whose pain persists.
• Download an OTC pain reliever dosing chart to guide your discussion and help patients find the correct dosing at home.

Patients want to know…

What are NSAIDs?
NSAIDs stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The most well-known NSAIDs are ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin. NSAIDs are a commonly used type of pain reliever and fever reducer found in more than 900 over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines.

Counseling tip:

• In a study conducted by the American Pharmacists Association®, which polled 1,000 adults, nearly 1 in 2 participants (47%) responded they do not know what NSAIDs are.³ When recommending an OTC NSAID, provide the drug class, ingredient, and example brand names to help your patients fully understand the pain reliever you are recommending.

Which OTC pain reliever is right for me?
Depending on your age, health conditions, or other medications you are taking, one OTC pain reliever may be more appropriate for you than another. For example, if you take aspirin to help protect against heart attack or stroke, taking ibuprofen may decrease that heart health benefit

Counseling tip:

• Download a pain reliever comparison checklist as a visual tool to use with patients to support your OTC analgesic recommendation.

I’ve heard something about updated labels on certain OTC pain relievers. What does that mean?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently required an update to the Drug Facts labeling of all adult, children’s and infants’ non-aspirin OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example Motrin^®, Advil^®, and Aleve^® products.⁴ These changes strengthen and expand existing warnings relating to the risk of heart attack and stroke associated with NSAIDs. The Drug Facts label can change from time to time. That is why it is important to read and follow the Drug Facts label each time you take an OTC medicine.

Counseling tip:

• Download a visual comparison of the old and updated NSAID Drug Facts label to quickly show your patients the label updates made.

Since I have high blood pressure, should I avoid certain OTC pain relievers?
The pain relievers known as NSAIDs—such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium—may pose some risks for people with high blood pressure.

Depending on your other health conditions and medicines you are taking, acetaminophen may be a more appropriate pain reliever choice for you.

Counseling tip:

• Talk to your patients about the most appropriate OTC pain reliever choices for them.

I have multiple symptoms. Can I take multiple medicines to get relief?
Hundreds of medicines contain pain reliever ingredients like acetaminophen and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium). If you take more than one medicine with the same kind of active ingredient at a time, it can increase your chance of harmful side effects. Always check the ingredients on the labels of your OTC and prescription medicines, and take ONLY 1 medicine with the same kind of active ingredient (acetaminophen or NSAID) at a time.

Counseling tip:

• Download a chart for your patients to see common medicines with same kind of active ingredient.

I’ve always taken the same kind of pain reliever. Why are you recommending something different now?
An OTC pain medicine that was right for you in the past may not be the best choice for you now. Factors like your age, health conditions, or other medications you are taking can increase your risks of side effects from certain OTC pain relievers. For example, if you are age 60 or older, acetaminophen may be a more appropriate pain reliever choice, depending on your health history and other medications.

In the past, I was given a prescription for a higher dose of this pain medicine. Why can’t I take that dose now?
Prescription-strength ibuprofen should be used only when prescribed to you by a healthcare professional. For all other situations, it’s important to read the entire Drug Facts label and follow the dosing directions. It is always best to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time to avoid harmful side effects.

Can I take more medicine to get faster relief?
Taking more medicine does not mean you’ll get relief faster. In fact, taking more medicine than directed is an overdose and can lead to harmful side effects. For your safety, always follow the dosing directions on the label.

Counseling tip:

• Download an OTC pain reliever dosing chart to guide your discussion and help patients find the correct dosing at home.

I’m larger than the average person. Can I take a higher dose than what the label directions say?
No. Dosages for adult pain relievers are not based on physical size of the person taking them. Taking more than directed is an overdose and can lead to harmful side effects. For your safety, always follow the dosing directions on the Drug Facts label.

Counseling tip:

• Download an OTC pain reliever dosing chart to guide your discussion and help patients find the correct dosing at home.

I am not supposed to take NSAIDs, and that’s why I take Aleve^®. Is that okay?
Aleve^® (naproxen sodium) is an NSAID. On both over-the-counter and prescription labels, the word “NSAID” appears after the drug name if the ingredient is an NSAID. NSAIDs include ingredients such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin.

Counseling tip:

• In one study, one-third of consumers cannot name the active ingredients in Advil^®, Aleve^®, or Motrin IB^®.¹  Help patients become more aware of pain medicine ingredients. Download this quick guide to Drug Facts labels and teach your patients how to identify the active ingredient in their medicines.

When I’m in a lot of pain, is it okay to take a little more or my next dose sooner than the label directions say?
It’s important to remember that even when you are in a lot of pain, taking more medicine or taking the next dose too soon can lead to harmful side effects. For your safety, always follow the dosing directions on the Drug Facts label. We can discuss a personal pain plan to help you safely find relief when your pain levels are high.

Counseling tip:

• Your patients may be at greater risk of exceeding label doses when their pain levels are high. It’s important to develop a plan with your patients on how to manage those difficult times safely and effectively, which may include non-medicinal treatments.