How many ibuprofen can I safely take?

[MirenaHelp]

I’m having a new coil fitted tomorrow. The last one was so incredibly painful so I’m dreading it.

How many do you think I can take? And how long does the effect take to ‘peak’ before wearing off?

I would take 2 (400 of whatever the unit is in total) and 2 paracetamol a couple of hours before your appointment

The normal dose, ie 2 (of usual ibuprofen). I’d guess you should take it about 40-60 mins before.

But surely there is some tolerance in the advised dose and it’s not going to do me permanent harm to take a couple more as a one off?

Just two but you could take paracetamol a couple of hours before too?

You’re completely correct. Each time I’ve had a coil procedure, they’ve told me to take 800mg 1 to 2 hours beforehand. Afterward, you can take 400 — 600mg every 4 hours for a day or so.

You can take more and others have in the past: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3651464-Accidentally-took-2x-recommended-dose-of-ibuprofen

My MIL had 600mg ibuprofen, equivalent to 3 tablets. So yes, taking an extra one as a one off isn’t dangerous.

But agree with other posters that paracetamol 2.5 hrs before and 2 ibuprofen half an hour before seems sensible.

I just did this for the hygienist and it either worked really well or wasn’t necessary.

Don’t take more than the suggested dose and ensure to stick to recommended times. If you take more ibuprofen than recommended you increase your risk of gastric bleeding significantly. You can safely take ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time. Again, stick to recommended dose and timing or you risk unwanted side effects.

400mg x 4. So every six hours.

BTW, paracetamol doesn’t do anything for me and ibuprofen is distinctly an anti-inflammatory. That’s why it’s advised (in the US) to take ibuprofen before coil procedures. It buffers the area / nerves for the trauma they’re about to experience and keeps working afterward to dull the pain a bit.

Why would you not ask the doctor or nurse fitting it?

Or if you want to take them before you get there, ring and ask the receptionist.

@JingsMahBucket thanks, this is very helpful!

i was put on 800mg every 6 hrs for other severe pain (for several days)

You can be prescribed 400mg ibuprofen tablets and are told to take two for really bad pain. So however many from a normal pack equating to the same dosage should be fine for a one off. They take about 40 mins to kick in.

I would go to a pharmacy and get cocodamol - much more effective at strong pain!

In Italy they sell 800mg capsules of ibuprofen. So I guess it is safe to take that much.

You can take 800 mg just check the bnf.