What are the Signs of an Advil® Overdose?

An Advil® overdose can manifest several types of symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress, neurological disturbances, and vision or hearing problems. Other signs of an Advil® overdose include difficulty breathing and minimal or no urine production. Some, but not all, of these symptoms can be present in somebody who has taken too much Advil®. If an overdose is suspected, it is important to contact emergency services or a poison control center for advice and treatment.

The active ingredient in Advil® is ibuprofen, part of a class of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is commonly found in many over-the-counter remedies as well as some prescription medicines. As ibuprofen is so accessible to the general public and is a common ingredient in so many remedies, both accidental and intentional overdoses can occur. Fortunately, if an Advil® overdose victim receives medical treatment quickly, which may involve the administration of laxatives or activated charcoal by health care professionals, he can be expected to make a full recovery.

Digestive symptoms of an Advil® overdose may include vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. Some overdose victims may also experience intestinal or stomach bleeding. These gastrointestinal symptoms may be accompanied by visual or auditory disturbances such as blurred vision or a ringing sound in the ears. The victim may develop a rash, begin sweating profusely, or may have difficulty breathing. If the kidneys are affected, the victim may not produce any urine.

Neurological symptoms of an Advil® overdose can be varied. A victim may suffer a headache, experience dizziness, and appear unsteady on his feet. Depending on the victim and the severity of the overdose, he may appear agitated or drowsy. In some cases, the victim may also become incoherent or confused and be difficult to understand. This can make it difficult to determine the cause of his symptoms or get his cooperation for receiving medical treatment. The victim may also lose consciousness or even slip into a coma.

If you suspect someone has overdosed on Advil® and she can still communicate, it is often helpful if you can get some information from her such as the amount of Advil® that she took as well as when she took it. If the patient took other drugs along with the Advil®, including alcohol, it is important that health care professionals be told of this. If an overdose victim is unable to communicate or the situation seems extremely serious, contact emergency services even if you are unsure about the details of the overdose.