How much food should you eat before taking ibuprofen

Q: When medication says take with food How much do you have to eat?

As to what with food actually means, its not necessarily a full meal. If you happen to be timing your medication to breakfast, lunch and dinner, thats fine. But a few crackers at bedtime, as you said, can be adequate. Ditto for a piece of fruit or a glass of milk.

Q: What should I eat before taking 800 mg ibuprofen?

If youve experienced an upset stomach when taking medications in the past, the FDA recommends taking ibuprofen with food or a glass of milk to reduce the chance youll feel queasy.

Information on liquid Ibuprofen including the Ibuprofen dosage, uses and side effects.

Table of Contents Show

What is Ibuprofen Used For?
Ibuprofen Dosage and How to Use
For Children 6 Months and Older
Ibuprofen Side Effects, Precautions, Contraindication
Before You Use or Take Ibuprofen
Interactions with Other Medications
Ibuprofen Side Effects
Handling and Storage of Liquid Ibuprofen
When to Seek Further Medical Advice
Do I need to eat before taking ibuprofen?
When medication says take with food How much do you have to eat?
What should I eat before taking 800 mg ibuprofen?
Does your stomach need food with ibuprofen?

What is Ibuprofen Used For?

Ibuprofen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is used for the treatment of fever, including post-immunisation fever, and relief of mild to moderate pain such as a sore throat, toothache, earache, minor body or muscle ache and sprains. Ibuprofen works by changing the body's response to high temperature, reducing pain and swelling.

Ibuprofen Dosage and How to Use

For Children 6 Months and Older

Ibuprofen for children older than 6 months old can be dosed by weight. When the child's weight is not known, it may be dosed by age. Each Ibuprofen dose should be given approximately every 6 to 8 hours (up to 3 times a day). Take with or after food.

Weight range (kg)	Age range (years)	Dose recommended (mg)	Volume to use (ml) for each dose
6 – 7.9	0.5 – 1	40	2
8 – 9.9	-	50	2 .5
10 – 17.9	1 – 4	100	5
18 – 23.9	4 – 6	150	7.5
24 – 30.9	6 – 8	200	10
31 – 36.9	8 – 10	250	12.5
37 – 42.9	10 – 12	300	15
43 – 50	-	400	20

Shake the bottle well before use. Measurement based on 100mg/5ml Ibuprofen suspension.

Related: Know Your Medication

Ibuprofen Side Effects, Precautions, Contraindication

Before You Use or Take Ibuprofen

Medical advice should be sought before use if the child has any of the following conditions or symptoms:

Asthma
Allergic rash or an itchy runny nose when taking Ibuprofen
Aspirin or other similar medication
Previously vomited blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Bloody stools or black sticky stools, conditions that increase the risk of bleeding
Stomach or intestinal ulcer
Severe heart, liver or kidney disease
If the child is not drinking enough fluids or has lost a lot of fluids from vomiting and diarrhoea

Ibuprofen should be avoided if the child has a known history of allergy to Ibuprofen, other NSAIDs or any of the other listed ingredients in the product.

Interactions with Other Medications

Be sure to inform the doctor and/or pharmacist if the child is taking, has recently taken or will be taking other medications, nutritional supplements or herbal products.

Be sure to mention any of the following:

Any other pain medications
Antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin)
Blood-thinning medications (e.g. warfarin)
Anti-depressant medications (e.g. fluoxetine, venlafaxine)
Anti-seizure medications (e.g. phenytoin)
Immune system medications (e.g. cyclosporine, methotrexate)
Water pills (e.g. triamterene, spironolactone)
Mood-stabilizing medications (e.g. lithium)
Gout medications (e.g. probenecid)

Ibuprofen Side Effects

Common Ibuprofen side effects

Abdominal pain or cramps
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
Flatulence (bloatedness)
Fluid retention
Headache
Heartburn
Indigestion
Itchiness
Nausea
Nervousness
Rash
Swelling
Vomiting

Related: Of Drugs, Food and Drink

Handling and Storage of Liquid Ibuprofen

Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool dry place.
Keep refrigerated after opening.
Discard bottle 6 months after opening or on the date of expiry, whichever is sooner.

Related: Medication, Dispensing & Counselling

When to Seek Further Medical Advice

Inform your doctor and/or pharmacist immediately if the child experiences any allergic symptoms (e.g. rashes, itchiness, difficulty in breathing or eye swelling) or serious Ibuprofen side effects due to this medication such as swelling of ankles or feet, yellowing of skin or whites of the eyes or unexplained bruising or bleeding.

The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration necessary to relieve symptoms.

Do not use liquid Ibuprofen for more than 3 days without medical supervision.

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Do I need to eat before taking ibuprofen?

Take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid with a meal or snack, or with a drink of milk. It will be less likely to upset your stomach. If you take it just after food, ibuprofen may take longer to start working.

When medication says take with food How much do you have to eat?

As to what "with food" actually means, it's not necessarily a full meal. If you happen to be timing your medication to breakfast, lunch and dinner, that's fine. But a few crackers at bedtime, as you said, can be adequate. Ditto for a piece of fruit or a glass of milk.

What should I eat before taking 800 mg ibuprofen?

If you've experienced an upset stomach when taking medications in the past, the FDA recommends taking ibuprofen with food or a glass of milk to reduce the chance you'll feel queasy.

Does your stomach need food with ibuprofen?

In limited cases, for fast relief of pain symptoms, taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach may be fine. A magnesium-containing antacid may offer some protection and help provide faster relief. For long-term use, it's helpful to take a protectant to avoid GI side effects.