Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-flammatory drug (NSAID) that is available without a doctor's prescription. It interferes with the production of the prostaglandin hormones, which stimulate pain sensation and inflammation in body tissues. Side effects from taking ibuprofen can range from discomforting to serious, depending on the dosage and the sensitivity of the patient. The most common factors affecting ibuprofen maximum dosage include age and weight, additional medications taken by the patient, other medical ailments or conditions, drug resistance and sensitivity of the patient.
Generally, the recommended adult dosage of ibuprofen is 200 milligrams for mild to moderate pain in individuals 12 years and older. Most ibuprofen manufacturers warn of daily over-the-counter dosages exceeding 1,200 milligrams, although healthcare professionals may prescribe larger dosages when necessary. In a medical setting, the healthcare provider can assess the patient's needs with the patient's current health and prescription drug regimen.
A medical provider attempting to determine the ibuprofen maximum dosage will first assess the patient's age and weight. Older patients sometimes require larger doses. A doctor treating a patient with rheumatoid arthritis may prescribe an ibuprofen maximum dosage of up to 3,200 mg daily to provide sufficient pain relief.
Additional medications affect ibuprofen maximum dosage as well. Some medications may interfere with ibuprofen or vice versa, or in rare circumstances, severe side effects may occur from a combination of the drugs. Patients on other NSAID drugs, such as aspirin or cox-2 inhibitor drugs, should be very careful not to exceed the ibuprofen maximum dosage. Overdosage or long-term supplement dosage use may contribute to circulatory system damage or cause heart attack or stroke. Ibuprofen may interfere with blood pressure medication, steroids, blood thinners and diuretics.
Ibuprofen maximum dosage also depends on the patient's pain tolerance and drug immunity. When taken over long periods of time, the body develops an immunity to ibuprofen. A healthcare provider may increase the dosage if medically possible or prescribe an alternative pain analgesic.
Ibuprofen taken in excessive prescription dosage for long periods of time may aggravate or instigate other medical ailments or conditions. The lining of the stomach is sensitive to the acidic effects of ibuprofen. This may cause a patient to experience stomach cramps or, in severe cases, ulcerations and vomiting of blood.
Obvious signs of ibuprofen intolerance or side effects include swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, stomach pains and black stools, skin rash, and vomiting. More severe side effects include chest pains, slurred speech, vomiting blood and liver or kidney failure. Side effects may occur without warning in patients who previously had experienced no side effects. Patients on a maximum dosage regimen should therefore be regularly monitored for complications and other medical conditions that arise from heavy or long-term use.