Ibuprofen Dosage: Safe Amounts, Risks, and What Doctors Really Recommend

When you reach for ibuprofen, a common over-the-counter painkiller and anti-inflammatory drug used for headaches, muscle pain, and fever. Also known as NSAID, it's one of the most widely used medications in India—but taking the wrong dose can do more harm than good. Many people think because it’s sold without a prescription, it’s completely safe. That’s not true. Too much ibuprofen can wreck your stomach, hurt your kidneys, or even trigger heart problems—even if you’ve taken it for years without issues.

Doctors in India typically recommend ibuprofen dosage of 200 to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours, not more than 1,200 mg in a single day for adults using it over-the-counter. For chronic pain, like arthritis, some patients may be prescribed up to 2,400 mg daily—but only under close medical supervision. The key isn’t just how much you take, but how often and for how long. Taking it daily for weeks or months without checking in with a doctor is a common mistake. Studies show that long-term use increases the risk of ulcers and kidney damage, especially in older adults or those with high blood pressure.

It’s not just about the pill count. NSAIDs, a class of drugs that includes ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, all work the same way—by blocking inflammation-causing enzymes. But they don’t all act the same in your body. Some stay in your system longer. Some are harsher on your gut. And some, like diclofenac, carry higher heart risks. If you’re taking ibuprofen for back pain or joint stiffness, you might be better off trying a lower-dose option or switching to acetaminophen if your liver is healthy. And if you’re on blood thinners or have a history of stomach bleeding, ibuprofen could be dangerous—even at low doses.

Children and seniors need special care. For kids, dosage is based on weight, not age. For older adults, even 200 mg twice a day can be too much if they’re dehydrated or taking diuretics. Many don’t realize that ibuprofen can make high blood pressure worse or interfere with heart medications. And mixing it with alcohol? That’s a one-way ticket to stomach bleeding.

What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t just generic dosage charts. You’ll see real advice from doctors in India on when ibuprofen works, when it doesn’t, and what safer alternatives exist for arthritis, menstrual pain, or post-injury swelling. You’ll learn how to spot early signs of damage, what to do if you accidentally took too much, and why some people should never take it at all. This isn’t about guessing. It’s about knowing exactly what your body can handle—and what it can’t.