Most adults can safely take 1 to 2 Motrin tablets (200 to 400 mg) every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum of 6 doses (1,200 mg) in 24 hours when using the over-the-counter strength. Each standard Motrin tablet contains 200 mg of ibuprofen, so that means no more than six tablets per day without a doctor’s guidance.
Standard Adult Dosing
For general pain or fever, the recommended dose is 200 to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed. In practical terms, that’s 1 to 2 tablets per dose. You don’t need to take them on a schedule; just space doses at least 4 hours apart and stop when the pain or fever resolves.
For menstrual cramps, the effective dose is typically 400 mg (2 tablets) every 4 hours as needed, which can mean a slightly higher daily intake than for general pain. Even so, the 1,200 mg over-the-counter daily ceiling still applies unless a doctor says otherwise.
Prescription Doses Are Higher
Under medical supervision, ibuprofen can be prescribed at much higher daily amounts. For conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, doctors may prescribe anywhere from 1,200 mg up to 3,200 mg per day, divided into three or four doses. That upper range is nearly triple the OTC limit. These higher doses come with closer monitoring for side effects, which is why they require a prescription.
Dosing for Children
Children’s doses are based on weight, not age. The standard pediatric dose is 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, given every 6 to 8 hours as needed. Children should not receive more than 4 doses in 24 hours. Ibuprofen is not recommended for infants under 6 months old.
If you don’t know your child’s exact weight, children’s Motrin packaging includes age-based guidelines as a backup. But weighing your child gives a more accurate dose.
How Long to Wait Between Doses
Adults and teens should wait at least 4 hours between doses, though 6 hours is a safer default if your pain is manageable. Children need a longer gap of 6 to 8 hours. Taking doses too close together doesn’t make the medication work better; it just raises the risk of stomach irritation and other side effects.
A common mistake is re-dosing after 2 or 3 hours because the pain hasn’t fully resolved. If a standard dose isn’t providing enough relief, that’s worth discussing with a pharmacist or doctor rather than shortening the interval on your own.
Risks of Taking Too Much
Ibuprofen is hard on the stomach lining, kidneys, and cardiovascular system, especially at higher doses or with prolonged use. The FDA has strengthened its warnings that ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, even with short-term use. That risk climbs with higher doses taken over longer periods. People with existing heart disease face the greatest risk, but it’s not zero for healthy adults either.
Ibuprofen can also raise blood pressure and contribute to heart failure in vulnerable individuals. If you’re taking it daily for more than a few days, the risks start to accumulate in ways that occasional use doesn’t.
Signs You’ve Taken Too Much
An ibuprofen overdose can affect multiple systems in the body. Warning signs include:
- Stomach: severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Nervous system: severe headache, confusion, agitation, seizures, or loss of consciousness
- Breathing: slow or difficult breathing, wheezing
- Other: ringing in the ears, blurred vision, little or no urine output, sweating, rash
If you suspect an overdose, call 911 or the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222. That line is available 24/7 and takes non-emergency questions too, so you can call even if you’re just unsure whether you doubled up on a dose.
Keeping It Simple
For most adults reaching for Motrin in the medicine cabinet, the rule is straightforward: take 1 to 2 tablets, wait at least 4 to 6 hours before the next dose, and don’t exceed 6 tablets in a day. Use the lowest dose that controls your symptoms, and keep the duration as short as possible. If you find yourself needing Motrin daily for more than about 10 days, the underlying problem likely needs a different approach.