About Advil: What It Is and What It Does

Advil is one of the most popular over-the-counter pain relief medications available. It’s an ibuprofen-based medication that helps people treat mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and other issues for short-term relief. Ibuprofen is an Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), meaning it inhibits the enzymes, cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), that cause pain and inflammation. The COX enzymes also produce prostaglandins, which are known to contribute to headaches, fever, and other issues. By inhibiting them, ibuprofen helps reduce pain and inflammation, as well as fever.

Advil is sold as a once-a-day tablet, a capsule, a liquid-filled capsule, and even a chewable form. Each tablet contains 200 milligrams of ibuprofen, and is typically taken every four to six hours. The doses may be increased in a doctor’s care.

The Benefits of Taking Advil

Advil can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions. It works most effectively when used to treat mild to moderate pain associated with headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, toothaches, menstrual cramps, and other conditions. It can also help reduce inflammation associated with these conditions, and reduce a fever.

Advil is also used to treat more serious conditions, such as acute gout and other forms of rheumatoid arthritis. When taken with other medications, Advil can be used to reduce the severity of pain and inflammation for people with more serious conditions.

Advil is particularly popular because of its fast-acting nature. It begins to work in 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the form taken. For example, the tablet form begins to work in 10 to 20 minutes, while the liquid-filled capsule form begins to work in 20 to 30 minutes. This makes Advil a great choice when individuals require fast relief.

Potential Risks When Taking Advil

Taking too much Advil can lead to serious health risks. Overdosing can lead to stomach ulcers and internal bleeding, high blood pressure, kidney damage, and even heart attack. Advil should always be taken as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.

Some people may also face other risks when taking Advil. This includes people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those with a history of stomach ulcers, heart diseases, liver or kidney diseases, high blood pressure, asthma, or bleeding disorders. Some people may also be allergic to ibuprofen, or sensitive to its side effects.

Advil is a popular, over-the-counter pain relief medication that can provide fast-acting relief from a variety of mild to moderate medical conditions. When taken as directed, it can be incredibly effective and safe. However, taking too much Advil can lead to serious health risks, so always read the packaging and follow the directions carefully.