This medication contains 2 ingredients: ibuprofen and
acetaminophen. It is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as
headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, or arthritis.
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This
combination product works by blocking your body's production of certain
natural substances that cause inflammation. This effect helps to decrease
swelling, pain, or fever.
If you are treating a chronic condition such as
arthritis, ask your doctor about non-drug treatments and/or using other
medications to treat your pain. See also Warning section.
Check the ingredients on the label even if you have used
the product before. The manufacturer may have changed the ingredients.
Also, products with similar names may contain different ingredients meant
for different purposes. Taking the wrong product could harm
you.
Read all directions on the product package before taking
this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, read the
Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using this
medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask
your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth as directed. Take with a
full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor
directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking
this medication. If stomach upset occurs while taking this medication, take
it with food, milk, or an antacid.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and
response to treatment. To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other
side effects, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.
Do not increase your dose or take it for more than 10 days unless otherwise
directed. For ongoing conditions such as arthritis, keep taking it as
directed by your doctor. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor or
pharmacist.
For certain conditions (such as arthritis), it may take
up to 2 weeks of taking this drug regularly until you get the full
benefit.
If you are taking this drug "as needed" (not on a
regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are
used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has
worsened, the medication may not work as well.
If your condition lasts or gets worse, or if you think
you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away. If you
are using this product to treat yourself or a child for fever or pain,
consult the doctor right away if fever gets worse or lasts more than 3
days, or if pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days.
See also Warning section.
Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea,
constipation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects
last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication,
remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater
than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not
have serious side effects.
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- easy bruising/bleeding
- hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears)
- difficult/painful swallowing
- mental/mood changes
- vision changes
- unexplained stiff neck
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
- symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet,
unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain)
This product may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal)
liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of
liver damage, including:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- loss of appetite
- stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
- dark urine
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Warning section.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to ibuprofen or acetaminophen; or to aspirin
or other NSAIDs (such as naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other
allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause
allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- asthma
- aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing
with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs)
- blood disorders (such as anemia, bleeding/clotting
problems)
- growths in the nose (nasal polyps)
- heart disease (such as previous heart attack)
- high blood pressure
- liver disease
- regular use/abuse of alcohol
- stroke
- stomach/intestinal/esophagus problems (such as bleeding,
heartburn, ulcers)
Kidney problems can sometimes occur with the use of
NSAID medications, including ibuprofen/acetaminophen. Problems are more
likely to occur if you are dehydrated, have heart failure or kidney
disease, are an older adult, or if you take certain medications (see also
Drug Interactions section). Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your
doctor to prevent dehydration and tell your doctor right away if you have a
change in the amount of urine.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or
marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use
machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor
right away if you get sunburned or have skin
blisters/redness.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be at greater risk for
stomach/intestinal bleeding, kidney problems, heart attack, and stroke
while using this drug.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age
should talk with their doctor(s) about the benefits and risks. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. This
medication may harm an unborn baby and cause problems with normal
labor/delivery. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy from 20 weeks
until delivery. If your doctor decides that you need to use this medication
between 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, you should use the lowest effective
dose for the shortest possible time. You should not use this medication
after 30 weeks of pregnancy.
This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely
to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
See also Warning section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
are:
- aliskiren
- ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril)
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan,
valsartan)
- cidofovir
- corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
- ketoconazole
- levoketoconazole
- lithium
- methotrexate
- "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide)
This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when
taken with other drugs that also may cause bleeding. Examples include
anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as
dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin, among others.
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine
labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever
reducers (including aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ketorolac, or
naproxen). These drugs are similar to ibuprofen and may increase your risk
of side effects if taken together. However, if your doctor has told you to
take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually 81-162
milligrams a day), you should keep taking the aspirin unless your doctor
tells you not to. Daily use of ibuprofen may decrease aspirin's ability to
prevent heart attack/stroke. Talk to your doctor about using a different
medication (such as acetaminophen by itself) to treat pain/fever. If you
must take this medication, talk to your doctor about taking
immediate-release aspirin (not enteric-coated/EC) while taking
ibuprofen/acetaminophen. Take this medication at least 8 hours before or at
least 2 hours after your aspirin dose. Do not increase your daily dose of
aspirin or change the way you take aspirin/other medications without your
doctor's approval.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests,
possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your
doctors know you use this drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
stomach pain, trouble breathing, extreme drowsiness.
Keep all medical and lab appointments.
If you are taking this drug on a regular schedule (not
just "as needed") and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.