Medical Encyclopedia: Ibuprofen overdose (Print Version)

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Medical Encyclopedia: Ibuprofen overdose

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002655.htm

Alternative names

Advil overdose; Nuprin overdose; PediaProfen overdose; Rufen overdose; Motrin overdose

Definition

This is poisoning from taking an overdose of pain medicine containing ibuprofen.

Poisonous Ingredient

Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is sold over-the-counter and by prescription.

Where Found

Advil
Medipren
Midol
Motrin
Nuprin
Pamprin IB
PediaProfen
Rufen

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

Eyes, ears, nose, throat, and mouth

Ringing in the ears
Blurred vision

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea
Heartburn
Nausea
Stomach pain (possible bleeding in stomach and intestines)
Vomiting

Kidneys

Little to no urine production

Lungs

Breathing - difficult
Breathing - slow
Wheezing

Nervous system

Headache
Agitation
Incoherence (not understandable)
Confusion
Coma
Drowsiness
Seizures
Dizziness
Unsteadiness

Skin

Rash
Sweating

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed
If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: National Poison Control center

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

Medicines to treat symptoms
Activated charcoal
Laxative

Expectations (prognosis)

Recovery is very likely with prompt medical treatment.

Update Date: 4/24/2007

Updated by: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, and Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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