Advil Dual Action Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Advil Dual Action (acetaminophen / ibuprofen) is an over-the-counter (OTC) combination medication. It contains two active ingredients: acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These medications work together to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains.

There’s a good chance that you’ve taken one or both of Advil Dual Action’s active ingredients. But when you combine them, does the way you take them change? Below, we’ll cover the typical and maximum Advil Dual Action dosages for adults and children.

What’s the typical adult dosage for Advil Dual Action?

Advil Dual Action comes as oral caplets (capsule-shaped tablets). Each caplet contains:

• 250 mg of acetaminophen (a pain reliever)

• 125 mg of ibuprofen (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID)

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The typical Advil Dual Action dosage for adults is 2 caplets by mouth every 8 hours as needed. The maximum dosage is 6 caplets in 24 hours. The ibuprofen in this medication can cause an upset stomach. Taking your doses with food can help lessen or prevent this side effect.

What’s the typical children’s dosage for Advil Dual Action?

Adolescents ages 12 years and older can take the same Advil Dual Action dosage as adults. But keep in mind that the caplets should be swallowed whole. If your child has trouble swallowing pills, consider buying liquid or chewable tablet versions of the two active ingredients. Taking the two separate medications at the same time will provide the same effect as Advil Dual Action.

Children under 12 years old shouldn’t take Advil Dual Action without a healthcare professional’s OK.

Why shouldn’t children under 12 take Advil Dual Action?

The caplets may contain too high a dose of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or both for children under 12. Advil Dual Action is a fixed-dose combination medication. This means the doses can’t be adjusted.

For example, acetaminophen dosages for children under 12 may range from 160 mg to 480 mg per dose, depending on their body weight. And ibuprofen dosages for kids in this age group range from 50 mg to 300 mg per dose. As mentioned above, each Advil Dual Action caplet contains 250 mg of acetaminophen and 125 mg of ibuprofen.

If a child needs this medication, it’s a good idea to purchase the medications individually. That way, you can measure accurate doses for each medication based on your child’s body weight.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Combining medications: Pharmacists explain why taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen together is safe and when it’s recommended.

• Acetaminophen versus ibuprofen: Learn the differences between these two over-the-counter pain relievers.

• Pain management options: Experts list non-opioid options for treating pain and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

There aren’t any standard Advil Dual Action dosage adjustments for people with certain health conditions. But people with liver problems may need to take a lower dosage or completely avoid acetaminophen. And people with kidney problems may need to be cautious about how much ibuprofen they take.

As mentioned above, Advil Dual Action doses can’t be adjusted. You should speak with a healthcare professional before taking it if you have a history of liver or kidney issues.

You should also ask a healthcare professional whether Advil Dual Action is safe if you:

• Have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding

• Are pregnant

• Are 60 years of age or older

• Drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages per day

• Take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or clopidogrel (Plavix)

• Take corticosteroids, such as prednisone

• Have a history of heart problems, such as heart disease or high blood pressure

• Have a history of a stroke

• Have Type 2 diabetes

• Have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

• Have recently had heart surgery

• Have asthma

• Take other medications containing NSAIDs or acetaminophen

The situations listed above can put people at a greater risk for serious side effects while taking Advil Dual Action. For some people, a healthcare professional may still allow them to take occasional doses of the medication. But others may need to avoid the medication altogether. Your healthcare professional can let you know if you can safely take Advil Dual Action.

What should you do if you take too much Advil Dual Action?

Accidentally taking an extra dose of Advil Dual Action is unlikely to cause serious problems for most people. But you may experience more side effects than usual. Acetaminophen doesn’t typically cause side effects. But ibuprofen commonly causes digestive-related side effects, such as heartburn, nausea, and stomach pain.

Taking a large amount of Advil Dual Action can lead to more serious complications, such as:

• Liver damage, which can be fatal

• Stomach ulcers

• Serious bleeding, including internal bleeding

• Kidney damage

If you’re unsure whether you’ve taken too much Advil Dual Action, contact a healthcare professional or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for further guidance. If you know you’ve taken too much, seek medical help right away at the ER or by calling 911.

Many OTC and prescription medications contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen. So be sure to read all medication labels so you don’t accidentally take too much of either active ingredient. Ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure whether any medications you take contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

How to save on Advil Dual Action

There are ways to save on Advil Dual Action, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. If a healthcare professional writes you a prescription for it, GoodRx can help you save on the average retail price of the medication. The price of generic Advil Dual Action at certain pharmacies is as low as $8.25 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Sarah Morin, RPh

Sarah Morin, RPh, has been a registered pharmacist for over 25 years. She started out as a hospital pharmacist, working at Rhode Island Hospital and then at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Bailey E. Eason, PharmD, MS, BCPS

Bailey Eason has been licensed for 6 years and has held licenses in three states (North Carolina, Virginia, and Illinois). She has held positions as a health-system pharmacy administration resident, operating room pharmacy manager, pharmacy manager of clinical operations: surgery, neurology and controlled substances, and most recently as program director  of drug diversion for a large academic health system.

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