9 Advil Side Effects You Should Know About

Advil (ibuprofen) is a commonly taken fever reducer and pain reliever. It belongs to a class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen comes in multiple forms and is available both over the counter (OTC) and by prescription. Another well-known brand name of ibuprofen is Motrin.

Since Advil is readily accessible at pharmacies and other retailers, it’s best to be aware of its potential risks. There are both short-term and long-term side effects that can happen. Some of these side effects can be harmful or cause serious consequences. There are also certain medications and health conditions that can raise the risk of serious side effects. Let’s discuss nine Advil side effects you should know about.

1. Nausea

Nausea is a common stomach-related Advil side effect. In clinical trials, between 3% and 9% of people taking prescription-strength ibuprofen experienced nausea.

Taking Advil with food can help limit this side effect. A meal or even a small snack or glass of milk may help prevent or lessen nausea. But it may also take longer for Advil to kick in when you take it with food, so keep that in mind.

2. Heartburn

Heartburn is also common when taking Advil. Between 3% and 9% of people experienced heartburn while taking prescription-strength ibuprofen in clinical trials.

Like with nausea, taking Advil with food or milk may help ease heartburn symptoms. You can also talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about taking an OTC medication that lowers stomach acid, like famotidine (Pepcid) or omeprazole (Prilosec).

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3. Stomach pain

Stomach pain after taking Advil may go hand-in-hand with other stomach-related side effects. Similar to the side effects above, between 3% and 9% of people experienced stomach pain in clinical trials.

Food or milk may also help with mild stomach pain caused by Advil. Your healthcare provider may recommend an OTC acid-lowering medication if they think it might help.

Stomach pain that doesn’t go away may be a sign of something more serious going on, like an ulcer. You should stop taking Advil and talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having stomach pain that’s not going away or getting worse.

4. Dizziness

Dizziness is also possible with Advil. Like those mentioned above, between 3% and 9% of people taking prescription-strength ibuprofen in studies reported dizziness.

Most of the time, dizziness caused by Advil isn’t severe, and should go away with time. Be sure you’re drinking enough water and eating regularly, since dehydration and low blood sugar can also cause dizziness.

If your dizziness isn’t going away, or you also have other symptoms, like a high fever, bad headache, or persistent vomiting, seek medical care right away. There could be something more serious going on.

5. Swelling in the arms or legs

Swelling in the arms or legs is also possible with Advil. Because of how the kidneys process these medications, NSAIDs like Advil can cause water retention. For some people, water retention leads to swelling in the arms or legs. The risk of this side effect is higher in older adults and those with kidney problems.

Swelling typically happens during the first week of taking Advil and should go away once you stop taking it. If you’re taking Advil long-term to treat a chronic health condition, let your healthcare provider know if swelling happens, especially if it’s excessive.

6. High blood pressure

High blood pressure is a possible long-term side effect of Advil. While blood pressure changes are typically small, it can still be a worrisome side effect. Some studies have shown that it’s possible to develop hypertension (chronic high blood pressure) when taking Advil long term (for several months).

If you already have high blood pressure, you should speak with your healthcare provider before taking Advil. They may want you to monitor your blood pressure more often while you’re taking Advil. Or they may recommend a different medication altogether.

7. Kidney damage

Taking Advil for a long period of time can potentially lead to acute kidney damage. Advil can make it harder for blood to flow to the kidneys. Less blood flow means less oxygen is delivered to the kidneys, which can lead to injury and damage. 

This risk is higher for people over the age of 60, and for those with chronic kidney disease. Thankfully, this side effect is usually reversible once you stop taking Advil. Even so, you may not know that it’s happening. So it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before you take Advil longer than 10 days at a time. They will be able to make sure it’s safe for you and monitor you for side effects like kidney damage over time.

8. Stomach ulcers or bleeding

Advil can also cause stomach ulcers or bleeding. The risk of this serious side effect is much higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers. The risk is also higher for:

• Older adults

• People who take blood thinners or corticosteroids

• People who drink three or more alcoholic beverages per day

• People who take high doses of Advil or take it for a long period of time

Taking Advil with food or milk, adding a medication to lower stomach acid, and avoiding alcohol are all ways to lessen the risk of stomach issues while taking Advil. You should also take the lowest dose of Advil for the shortest time possible.

But if you notice blood in your stool, stomach pain that gets worse after you eat, or you’re vomiting, seek medical attention right away.

9. Higher risk of heart attacks

NSAIDs, including Advil, are linked to a higher risk of heart attacks. This risk goes up with higher doses of ibuprofen and long-term use. It’s best to check with your healthcare provider before starting a regular Advil regimen. And if you have heart disease, you should ask your provider before taking any NSAIDs — even for short-term use. NSAIDs like Advil also aren’t recommended if you’ve had a recent heart attack or heart surgery.

If you’re concerned about the risk of heart attack, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about other options. Naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) are other OTC medications for pain and fever that don’t have the same heart attack risk as Advil.

Are there side effects if you take Advil every day?

The more serious Advil side effects are more likely if you’re taking it every day for a long period of time. Occasional use at low doses doesn’t seem to have the same risks.

You shouldn’t take OTC Advil for more than 3 days in a row for fever or 10 days in a row for pain. You should also take the smallest dose that works for your symptoms. Taking more than you need will also increase the risks of Advil side effects. 

If you feel that you need to take Advil longer than recommended, talk to your healthcare provider first. They can help decide if it’s safe for you and can monitor you for any of the more serious side effects. Your provider can also help figure out what’s causing your health issues — there may be a different treatment that would be better for you to take.

Who should avoid Advil?

While Advil is generally a safe medication, there are certain health conditions that may put you at a higher risk of serious side effects if you take it. These include:

• 3rd trimester of pregnancy

• Recent heart attack or heart surgery

• Kidney disease

• Taking blood thinners

• History of stomach ulcers 

• Heart disease

If you have any of these conditions, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking Advil.

When should I contact my healthcare provider about Advil side effects?

You should contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing signs of any of the following:

• Severe dizziness or fainting

• Nausea and vomiting that doesn’t go away

• Redness or severe rashes

• Bloody or black stools

Some symptoms can be a sign of potentially life-threatening problems. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if any of the following occur:

• Chest pain

• Trouble breathing

• Swelling of the face, mouth, or neck

• Slurred speech

You should also reach out to your healthcare provider if you’ve been using Advil for 10 days for pain, or 3 days for fever. Advil may not be the best medication for your symptoms.

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Written by:

Sonia Amin Thomas, PharmD, BCOP

Sonia Amin Thomas, PharmD, BCOP, has been practicing as a clinical pharmacist for 12 years and in oncology pharmacy for over 10 years. She practices both academic and clinical pharmacy and is board certified as an oncology pharmacist and integrative health coach.

Reviewed by:

Kaitlyn Keesling, PharmD Candidate

Kaitlyn works as a pharmacist intern for a large community pharmacy chain. She is going on 4 years of experience in this area of practice.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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