Adults can take Motrin (ibuprofen) every four to six hours as needed, with a maximum of 1,200 mg per day when using over-the-counter strength. That translates to three 400 mg doses or six 200 mg tablets spread across 24 hours. Pain relief typically kicks in within 30 to 60 minutes and lasts four to six hours, which is why the dosing schedule follows that same window.
Adult Dosing Schedule
The standard over-the-counter dose for adults and teenagers is 200 to 400 mg every four to six hours. For general pain like headaches, back pain, or dental pain, spacing doses every six hours is usually sufficient. For menstrual cramps, the recommended interval tightens to every four hours because the pain tends to be more persistent.
If you’re taking 200 mg tablets (the most common OTC size), you can take one or two at a time. Taking two tablets every six hours keeps you well within safe limits. Taking two tablets every four hours pushes you to the daily ceiling of 1,200 mg, so don’t exceed that pace. Prescription doses can go higher, up to 3,200 mg per day, but only under direct medical supervision.
Dosing for Children
Children six months and older can take ibuprofen every six to eight hours, with no more than four doses in 24 hours. The correct amount is based on your child’s weight, not their age. Age ranges printed on packaging are just a rough guide.
For a child weighing 24 to 35 pounds, a typical dose is 5 mL (one teaspoon) of children’s liquid ibuprofen. A child between 48 and 59 pounds would take 10 mL. Infant drops are more concentrated than children’s liquid suspension, so these products are not interchangeable. Always check the concentration on the label before measuring.
Children under 12 pounds should not take ibuprofen without a doctor’s guidance.
How Long You Can Take It Consecutively
Over-the-counter ibuprofen is meant for short-term use. For fever or a common illness like the flu, up to five consecutive days is generally considered safe. For other types of pain, the guideline is no more than three days in a row, and no more than three days per week, unless a doctor has specifically recommended otherwise for a condition like post-surgical recovery.
If you find yourself reaching for Motrin regularly, week after week, that’s a signal to address the underlying cause of the pain rather than continuing to manage it with ibuprofen alone.
How to Reduce Stomach Irritation
Ibuprofen can irritate the lining of your stomach, especially with repeated use. Taking it at the end of a full meal or with milk significantly reduces this risk. If you tend to get an upset stomach from it, taking an antacid alongside your dose can also help.
Alcohol compounds the irritation, so avoid drinking while you’re taking ibuprofen regularly. The combination raises your risk of developing a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly if you’re using it for several days straight.
Risks of Taking Too Much
Exceeding the recommended dose consistently puts stress on two systems in particular: your kidneys and your cardiovascular system. The FDA has strengthened its warning that ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, even in people without prior heart problems. This risk rises with higher doses and longer duration of use.
Kidney problems are another concern with frequent or high-dose use, especially if you’re already dehydrated, older, or have existing kidney issues. Early signs include reduced urination, swelling in your ankles or feet, and unusual fatigue.
Signs You’ve Taken Too Much
Acute overdose symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, drowsiness, dizziness, and in serious cases, vomiting blood or passing dark tarry stools (a sign of internal bleeding). People who ingest less than roughly 100 mg per kilogram of body weight are unlikely to experience symptoms, which means for an average 150-pound adult, anything under about 6,800 mg would typically not cause acute toxicity. But that number is far above the safe daily limit, and organ damage can accumulate long before you hit a single-dose overdose threshold.
If you or a child has taken significantly more than the recommended dose, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency care, particularly if symptoms like confusion, difficulty breathing, or blood in vomit or stool appear.