Advil®
Advil® delivers superior relief vs other analgesics1,2
Clinical studies show that the medicine in Advil is a superior choice compared to acetaminophen.2,3 And when used as directed, Advil also has a proven favorable overall safety profile.4-6 Learn about our products, and find savings and support for your office and your patients.
More about Advil®
Advil® is tough on acute pain and easy on your patients
Advil is more effective than Tylenol® for treating tough acute pain.8-11 In fact, no other over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever has been shown to be more effective than ibuprofen.2,11-14*
*Among leading OTC pain relievers/fever reducers. Remind patients to use OTC analgesics as directed.
Proven superiority, fast onset
Clinical studies of dental pain, pain from the common cold, tension-type headaches, and muscle soreness have demonstrated that ibuprofen is more effective than acetaminophen.7-10
An additional study in osteoarthritis showed that ibuprofen provided a greater decrease in pain intensity than acetaminophen did after the initial dose.2
Studies also prove that when compared with Extra-Strength Tylenol®, Advil® Liqui-Gels® have a more rapid onset of analgesia for tough acute pain.1,3,15
Advil® provides relief for a variety of pain conditions
Advil® is indicated for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains due to:
- Headache
- Toothache
- Backache
- Menstrual cramps
- The common cold
- Muscular aches
- Minor pain of arthritis
- The temporary reduction of fever
Efficacy
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Relief from osteoarthritis pain
Advil® delivers superior relief of osteoarthritis pain vs acetaminophen2
A clinical study concluded that the active ingredient in Advil (ibuprofen) provided a greater decrease in pain intensity after the initial dose (400 mg) than the active ingredient in Tylenol® (acetaminophen; 1000-mg dose) for acute pain due to OA.2
This randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, multicenter study was conducted by Boureau et al to examine the efficacy of single and multiple doses of ibuprofen (1200 mg/day) vs acetaminophen (3000 mg/day) in patients suffering from OA of the knee or hip (N=222).2
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Acute postsurgical dental pain
Advil® offers fast relief of postsurgical dental pain7
Advil® Liqui-Gels® deliver superior relief versus Tylenol® Extra Strength Caplets in patients with postsurgical dental pain.
A single-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess relief of acute pain after third molar extraction (N=184).7
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Relief from tension headache pain
Advil® delivered superior relief vs Tylenol® in patients with tension-type headaches1,9
In a single-dose, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study by Packman et al (N=154), more patients experienced faster onset to meaningful relief at 30 minutes and complete relief at 3 hours with 400 mg of Advil Liqui-Gels vs 1000 mg of Tylenol® Extra Strength (P<.01).1
In another single-dose, double-blind, randomized trial by Schachtel et al (N=455), 400 mg of Advil provided significantly greater analgesic efficacy than 1000 mg of Tylenol® Extra Strength for tension-type headaches.9
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Relief from common cold pain
Advil® delivered more effective pain relief from sore throat than Tylenol®
Advil (400 mg of ibuprofen) was found to be significantly more effective than Tylenol® Extra Strength (1000 mg of acetaminophen) 3 to 6 hours after dosing (P<.01).2,8
A double-blind, single-dose, parallel-group study was conducted to assess the efficacy of Advil vs Tylenol® Extra Strength in patients with sore throat pain (N=120).8
Greater meaningful reduction in sore throat pain was achieved by patients treated with Advil at 3 hours and continuing to 6 hours postdose than by those treated with Tylenol® Extra Strength.8
Advil® has a favorable safety profile*
As with any medication, there are risks associated with the use of ibuprofen. However, research has shown that ibuprofen at OTC doses has a favorable overall safety profile. A recent review confirmed that at OTC doses, ibuprofen has a low incidence of serious GI events and minimal risk of causing renal and associated cardiovascular events, among others.6
Also, when used as directed, ibuprofen 400 mg has a favorable GI safety profile. Higher Rx doses may heighten the risk of GI injury6,16,17 and may be associated with an increased number of cardiovascular events.6
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Gastrointestinal
Advil® demonstrates a low risk of serious GI events
Ibuprofen has a favorable gastrointestinal (GI) safety profile at dosages of 800 mg to 1200 mg per day (in OTC dose).16
Clinical studies have shown that when OTC ibuprofen is taken as directed by the label for no longer than 10 days, there is a very low increased risk of stomach complaints or bleeding.4-6,18
- A recent literature review found that in OTC doses of ibuprofen, there was a consistently low risk of serious GI events and that nonserious GI events are probably reversible upon cessation of the drug6
- An epidemiologic study by Lewis et al and a systematic review by Henry and McGettigan found no significant increased risk of serious upper GI toxicity at dosages <1200 mg daily19,20
- In a study by Moore et al, only 4% of subjects taking OTC ibuprofen for 1 to 7 days reported a significant digestive system adverse event21
- Studies have demonstrated that higher doses of ibuprofen are associated with a greater risk of GI side effects (odds ratio 4:6) vs lower (OTC) doses (odds ratio 1:1)4,19
Safety information for your patients
As indicated in the Advil Drug Facts, ibuprofen, like all NSAIDs, may cause severe stomach bleeding. Risk of stomach bleeding increases if patients:
- Consume 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day
- Are aged 60 years or older
- Are taking anticoagulants or steroids
- Are taking other drugs containing NSAIDs
- Have a history of stomach bleeding, ulcers, or other bleeding problems
- Take more than directed or for longer than directed (taking ibuprofen at higher doses than the approved OTC dosing and/or for longer than 10 days also increases this risk)
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Cardiovascular
Advil® presents minimal cardiovascular risk22-24
A comprehensive review of existing cardiovascular safety data shows that when ibuprofen is used at OTC doses according to label directions, cardiovascular risk is minimal.22-24
Data from a series of publications suggest that OTC ibuprofen is not strongly associated with an increased risk of:
- Cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction [MI], stroke)22,23,25-30
- Cardiorenal events (high blood pressure, congestive heart failure)25
However, multiple studies have found that taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs at Rx doses over prolonged periods can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular events.31,32
Advil for patients already taking daily low-dose aspirin
For patients already on, or for whom you are considering initiating, a cardioprotective aspirin regimen33:
- Taking ibuprofen at least a half hour after the dosing of immediate-release low-dose aspirin is a practical method to minimize potential impairment of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin
- Because the effect of aspirin taken daily on platelets is long lasting, the occasional use of ibuprofen poses a minimal risk of attenuating the antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin
What is the CV risk associated with low-dose ibuprofen?
A cohort study that examined 4975 cases of acute MI and death due to coronary heart disease showed the odds ratio for MI for ibuprofen at OTC doses was 1:06 (95% CI; 0.87 to 1.29). Prior history of coronary heart disease or concomitant intake of aspirin did not increase the risk of MI from ibuprofen.22
A case-controlled analysis performed to assess the risk of NSAIDs in relation to acute MI found that ibuprofen did not pose an increased risk of MI.30
Safety information for your patients
NSAIDs, except aspirin, increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. These can be fatal. The risk is higher if you use more than directed or for longer than directed.
According to the Advil Drug Facts, patients should not use ibuprofen right before or after heart surgery. Patients are directed to ask a doctor before use if they have high blood pressure, heart disease, or have had a stroke.
Patients should stop use and ask a doctor if they have symptoms of heart problems or stroke, including:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Weakness in one part or side of the body
- Slurred speech
- Leg swelling
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Renal
The medicine in Advil® has a low risk factor for developing renal conditions6,34,35
Overall, over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen has a low risk factor for developing acute or chronic renal conditions.6,34,35
Renal adverse effects at OTC doses
A well-controlled clinical trial (N=25) and an epidemiologic study with a total of 1574 patients receiving ibuprofen indicate that the frequency of kidney function–related adverse events with OTC doses of ibuprofen is low.35,36
A double-blind study evaluating the renovascular effects of OTC ibuprofen in elderly hypertensive patients with mild renal impairment found that ibuprofen did not appear to be a risk factor in the development of additional renal compromise or the diminishing of hypertension control (N=25).35
Renal adverse effects at Rx doses
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, demonstrate an increased risk of causing renal impairment at high (Rx) doses, especially among elderly patients or patients with reduced renal function.37
Serious renal pathology has been rarely seen with ibuprofen use. These reactions have not been observed in OTC ibuprofen trials.6,34,38
Safety information for your patients
The Advil Drug Facts recommend that patients with kidney disease or who are taking a diuretic should consult a doctor before use.
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Hepatic
Advil® demonstrates a low risk of hepatic injury5,6
The use of over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen is associated with a very low risk of developing liver injury, especially compared with the severe liver damage observed with acetaminophen overdose and the occasional liver reactions from aspirin.5,6
Advil demonstrates a low risk of acute liver damage
Liver safety data from systematic reviews, population-based studies, and spontaneous reporting databases indicate that there is a low risk of acute liver damage associated with ibuprofen use.39-42
The hepatic safety profile of ibuprofen extends to overdose situations.43,44
When compared with acetaminophen, the incidence of ibuprofen-induced liver injury is very low6,45:
- The hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen is well documented and dose related6
- When high toxic doses of acetaminophen were taken, irreversible liver damage was observed45
Safety information for your patients
The Advil Drug Facts recommend that patients with liver cirrhosis should consult a doctor before use.
Directions
- Do not take more than directed
- The smallest effective dose should be used
- Adults and children 12 years and over: take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms persist
- If pain or fever does not respond to 1 tablet, 2 tablets may be used
- Do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor
- Children under 12 years: ask a doctor
Recommend Advil®
Learn more about Advil®
Advil® Drug Facts and Dosing
The Drug Facts contain all you need to know about the drug, as well as NSAID and acetaminophen warnings.
Advil® Resources
Read about and find the answers to questions about the newest member of the Advil® family
