It may be used by itself or combined with other medications in several
common cold, flu, and sinus products. These can be used to help relieve common
cold symptoms,
flu symptoms, or sinus problems, such as fever, aches, and pains.
Motrin is in a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs for short. It is available in both prescription and non-prescription strengths.
Prescription Motrin is manufactured by Pfizer, while non-prescription Motrin is sold by the McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNeil PPC.
Motrin and other NSAIDs are believed to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
By blocking the effects of prostaglandins, Motrin is effective in:
- Reducing pain related to bone, muscle, or tendon injury or inflammation
- Reducing fever
- Alleviating pain and joint swelling associated with different forms of arthritis and other conditions.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include:
- It comes in tablet, caplet, and oral suspension forms.
- It is best if you take it with food or milk to avoid an upset stomach.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the Motrin tablets or caplets.
- For it to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medicine will not work if you stop taking it.
- It is important to take the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time in order to treat your condition. This will decrease the chances of developing serious side effects.
- If using over-the-counter Motrin products (Children's Motrin, Infant Motrin, Motrin IB, or Motrin Cold and Sinus), you should follow the instructions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended over-the-counter doses, and do not take the medication for more than 10 days for pain relief or 3 days for fever unless your healthcare provider recommends it.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The form of Motrin
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(The side effects listed below are NOT a complete list of possible side effects of Motrin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects. Yet, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. When side effects do occur, in many cases they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
The most common Motrin side effects include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Unexplained rash.
Less common but serious side effects include:
These possible side effects are shared with all
NSAIDs and can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
(Click Motrin Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of this drug, including possible serious side effects to look out for.)
Drug Interactions With Motrin
Motrin has a number of medicines that it can potentially interact with.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using
NSAIDs (other than aspirin), including Motrin, may have a higher risk of having a
heart attack or
stroke than those who do not take NSAIDs. This risk may be higher in people who have been taking NSAIDs for a long time. These events can occur without any warning and can lead to death. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the following:
Prior to taking Motrin, you should also tell your healthcare provider if you have:
- Asthma
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Bleeding problems or are taking medicines that decrease the ability of blood to clot
- Diabetes
- Nasal polyps
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE)
- Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either problem
- Any allergies to medicines, including sulfa drugs, aspirin, or other NSAID pain medicines.
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Motrin and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Smoke
- Are having or have recently had heart surgery.
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may currently be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much Motrin may have overdose symptoms that could include, but are not limited to:
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Excessive sleepiness
- Coma.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
The medication should be stored at room temperature and kept in an airtight container.
Keep Motrin and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Motrin?
If you do not take your dose as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
Motrin tablets, caplets, and oral suspension are available in several strengths.
Non-prescription strengths include:
- Motrin 100 mg
- Motrin 200 mg
- Motrin 50 mg/1.25 mL oral solution -- 1.25 mL contains 50 mg of Motrin
- Motrin 100 mg/5mL oral solution -- one teaspoon (5 mL) contains 125 mg of Motrin.
Prescription strengths include:
- Motrin 400 mg
- Motrin 600 mg
- Motrin 800 mg.
Besides being sold in prescription strengths, the medication is also sold as various non-prescription products. Some of these include:
- Motrin IB
- Children's Motrin
- Children's Motrin Cold
- Infants' Motrin
- Junior Strength Motrin
- Motrin Cold and Sinus
- Motrin Migraine Pain.
The medication is available as a generic.
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