For most adults, 200 to 400 mg of ibuprofen is the standard over-the-counter dose for a headache. That’s one to two regular-strength tablets (each tablet is typically 200 mg). You can repeat the dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed, but should not exceed 1,200 mg in 24 hours when self-treating without a doctor’s guidance.
Standard Adult Dose
A single 200 mg tablet works for mild headaches, but 400 mg is the more commonly effective dose for moderate headache pain. Most OTC ibuprofen products (Advil, Motrin IB, store brands) come in 200 mg tablets or capsules, so a two-tablet dose hits that 400 mg sweet spot. If 200 mg handles your headache, there’s no reason to take more.
You can take another dose every 6 to 8 hours if the headache returns or persists. The OTC ceiling is 1,200 mg per day (three doses of 400 mg). Prescription doses for chronic conditions can go as high as 3,200 mg per day, but that range is reserved for medical supervision and isn’t appropriate for self-treating a headache.
How Quickly It Works
Ibuprofen starts relieving headache pain within 20 to 30 minutes, with peak effects kicking in at about 1 to 2 hours. A single dose lasts roughly 4 to 6 hours. If your headache hasn’t improved at all after an hour, a second dose won’t help much since you’re already near peak levels. That’s a sign the headache may need a different approach rather than more ibuprofen.
Why Ibuprofen Works on Headaches
Your body produces chemicals called prostaglandins in response to injury, illness, or stress. Prostaglandins amplify pain signals and trigger inflammation. Ibuprofen blocks the enzyme your body needs to make prostaglandins, which is why it reduces both the pain of a headache and any swelling or inflammation contributing to it. This makes it particularly effective for tension headaches and migraines where inflammation plays a role.
Dosing for Children
Children’s ibuprofen is dosed by weight, not age, though age can serve as a rough guide if you don’t know your child’s weight. The liquid suspensions and chewable tablets come in lower concentrations specifically designed for smaller bodies. You can give a dose every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
Ibuprofen should not be given to babies under 6 months old. The FDA has not approved it for that age group because safety data is lacking. For children 6 months and older, check the product label for the weight-based dosing chart printed on the box. The adult dose of 400 mg is typically reached around age 12 or a body weight of about 72 pounds and above.
Who Should Avoid Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is not safe for everyone, even at standard headache doses. People with a history of stomach ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding face a higher risk of serious complications because ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining and, in some cases, cause ulcers or internal bleeding. These problems can develop without warning symptoms.
If you have kidney disease, liver disease, or heart failure, ibuprofen can worsen those conditions. Long-term or high-dose use raises the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in people without a prior history of heart problems. That risk is higher for people who already have cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking. Adults 75 and older should be especially cautious.
People with asthma, particularly those who also deal with nasal polyps or chronic congestion, can experience worsened breathing symptoms from ibuprofen. And anyone with an allergy to aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen should avoid it entirely.
Ibuprofen During Pregnancy
The FDA warns against using ibuprofen at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later. After that point, ibuprofen can cause kidney problems in the developing baby, leading to dangerously low amniotic fluid levels. After 30 weeks, there’s an additional risk involving premature closure of a blood vessel near the baby’s heart. If you’re pregnant and dealing with headaches, ibuprofen is not a safe default choice in the second half of pregnancy.
Tips for Getting the Most Relief
Take ibuprofen early. The sooner you take it after a headache starts, the more effective it tends to be. Waiting until pain is severe means prostaglandins have already built up, and the medication has to work harder to bring levels down. Taking it with food or a full glass of water helps protect your stomach lining and may speed absorption slightly.
If you find yourself reaching for ibuprofen more than 15 days a month, that pattern can actually cause “medication overuse headaches,” where the frequent use of pain relievers triggers more headaches rather than preventing them. This creates a cycle that’s difficult to break without tapering off the medication. Occasional use for a headache is well within safe limits, but daily reliance is a signal that something else is going on.