Ibuprofen is one of the commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) to reduce fever, pain and inflammation in the body. It is often taken as a remedy for headaches, toothache, arthritis, back pain, menstrual cramps, and minor injuries. Some people take ibuprofen regularly, but how many ibuprofens does it take to die?
How Many Ibuprofens Does It Take to Die?
Ibuprofen is considered as a safe drug, and is commonly found in many medicine cabinets. However, just like all drugs, it should be taken as directed on the medication’s label, or as your doctor prescribed it. It should not be used in larger doses or for longer periods than recommended. You must also use the smallest dose necessary to obtain relief from your fever, pain, or swelling.
Can you overdose on ibuprofen? For adults, the maximum dose of ibuprofen is 800 milligrams (mg) per dose. It may be taken up to a maximum of four doses per day or a total of 3200 mg daily. If you take too much ibuprofen, unpleasant side effects may develop and this may require immediate medical attention.
How much ibuprofen can kill you? Animal research shows that the lethal dose that kills 50% of test animals (LD50) of oral ibuprofen is 636 mg/kg. If this value is applied to humans, it may take 191 tablets (200mg/tablet) or a total of 38,160 mg for a 60-kg man to die from acute ibuprofen overdose. The effects of ibuprofen at lesser doses (600-800mg) also include upset stomach, which can lead to internal bleeding and death, over a long time. Taking higher doses (1200-1600mg) can make you sick and throw up, but not enough to kill you at once.
Personal Experiences on Ibuprofen Overdose
How many ibuprofens does it take to die? Here are some experiences shared by people who tried to overdose on painkillers like ibuprofen.
“I survived taking over 22,000mg of painkillers by will power. I ingested about 12,000mg of ibuprofen in one night and about 10,000mg over a period of three weeks.” – Ellen B.
“It is not easy to die of ibuprofen overdose. I tried taking 56 tablets all at once, 10 Advils and other drugs. I did not die, but the pain was like someone was stabbing your body.” – Jack T.
“I tried taking 95 ibuprofen pills and felt a lot of chest pain. I have not gotten any sleep and I wanted to kill myself.” – Cindy R.
What Can Ibuprofen Overdose Do to You?
Digestive Disorder
Ibuprofen is toxic and can damage the intestinal tract, which may cause severe stomach pain and internal bleeding of the stomach or intestines. Heartburn can also be caused as high dose of ibuprofen can increase the acid production in the stomach. You may also experience diarrhea and bloating.
Difficult Breath
Ibuprofen, when taken in large doses, can depress respiration and cause difficult or slow breathing, accompanied by wheezing and cough.
Ringing in the Ears
Some people experience buzzing or ringing in their ears (tinnitus) after taking large doses of ibuprofen. Other sensations include hissing, whistling, clicking, or roaring in the ears. These may affect one or both of your ears and can result in difficulty hearing or concentrating.
Blurred Vision
Vision problems can occur after ingesting too much of the drug. Blurring or seeing double can make you dizzy, lightheaded and unable to walk normally.
Drowsiness
Drowsiness is another possible side effect of taking excessive amounts of ibuprofen. In severe cases, you can faint or lose consciousness after an overdose.
Confusion
A person may appear confused, incoherent (difficult to understand), or agitated after taking too much ibuprofen. You can also develop headaches and poor coordination.
Convulsions
Tremors, convulsions, or seizures characterized by uncontrollable body shaking can also occur after ingesting large amounts of ibuprofen. These may be followed by loss of consciousness and coma.
What to Do If Someone Overdoses on Ibuprofen
If you or someone you know has taken large doses of ibuprofen, call the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) and seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of overdose may include severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, profuse sweating, bloody/black stools, shallow breathing, coughing up of blood, loss of consciousness, or coma.
In the emergency room, you may be given liquid charcoal to absorb the drug and prevent it from entering your systemic circulation. Gastric lavage may be done if you have taken potentially life threatening doses. Ibuprofen overdose can also land you into a mental hospital if you are suspected of attempted suicide.
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AshleyApr.28 16:13
When you kill yourself the pain does not end, it gets worse outside of this world. Trust me, you do not want to take that matter into your own hands-- you will suffer for it eternally. We're here as a test to see how we deal with pain, and I hope everyone's able to find that way to deal. Your reward for dealing with the pain is a million times bigger than the pain ever was, so it's always worth fighting through it. You don't have to be religious, just choose love. Find those who love you (even if it's hard-- there are many people who love you) and let yourself hear and feel their loving words to start the healing. Good luck.
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OktoberApr.26 04:01
Back in October, I had grown tired of being so depressed and decided to take 50 200mg tablets of ibuprofen (10,000mg). It put me in a coma for about a month and a half. I'm a 16 year old girl, 5'7" and I weigh 110lbs. That was the worst mistake I've ever made. If I had succeeded, i wouldn't be here today to enjoy my newborn niece's life. She is truly a gift.
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Andrew LarcherApr.5 07:57
While I was in the service I took 12 extra strength ibuprofen each had 800 mg. I didn't die or feel any pain though it did cause me to have a stroke and both my kidneys fail.
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JuanitaMar.29 11:48
About a year ago, I was feeling very suicidal and the only thing I could get ahold of was Ibuprofen. At about midnight, I took 244 pills (200mg), amounting to 48,800mg. I went to sleep right after and at about 4am, I woke up puking. I had no control over myself, I could not stop the vomiting. I also could not walk and kept stumbling and falling which caught my mom's attention, she found me laying in a pile of vomit. I was taken to the ER soon after. I remember my mom holding me up so that I would not fall and I vomited at the reception desk. I was then taken to a room, via wheelchair, and continued vomiting. I apparently had a dangerously low heart rate and kept getting monitored. I talked to the doctor and told him what happened and they decided not to pump my stomach or anything because I had already been throwing up a lot. I vomited a couple more time and then I woke up like at 9am and was still nauseous and feeling ill, I also threw up one last time. I was sent to a psychiatric hospital for a week.
To summarize, I took a huge ammount and was fine, probably because I was otherwise healthy. The whole night is still a blur and I remember feeling very dissoriented and confused.
I had also taken a large amount at an earlier date and was completely fine. That day, I took 100 pills and just threw up once overnight.
Anyway, Ibuprofen is not dangerous, in my opinion (unless you mess up your kidneys), but it can cause very uncomfortable symptoms so be careful.
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JuanitaMar.28 21:10
About a year ago, I was feeling very suicidal and the only thing I could get ahold of was Ibuprofen. At about midnight, I took 244 pills (200mg), amounting to 48,800mg. I went to sleep right after and at about 4am, I woke up puking. I had no control over myself, I could not stop the vomiting. I also could not walk and kept stumbling and falling which caught my mom's attention, she found me laying in a pile of vomit. I was taken to the ER soon after. I remember my mom holding me up so that I would not fall and I vomited at the reception desk. I was then taken to a room, via wheelchair, and continued vomiting. I apparently had a dangerously low heart rate and kept getting monitored. I talked to the doctor and told him what happened and they decided not to pump my stomach or anything because I had already been throwing up a lot. I vomited a couple more time and then I woke up like at 9am and was still nauseous and feeling ill, I also threw up one last time. I was sent to a psychiatric hospital for a week.
To summarize, I took a huge ammount and was fine, probably because I was otherwise healthy. The whole night is still a blur and I remember feeling very dissoriented and confused.
I had also taken a large amount at an earlier date and was completely fine. That day, I took 100 pills and just threw up once overnight.
Anyway, Ibuprofen is not dangerous, in my opinion (unless you mess up your kidneys), but it can cause very uncomfortable symptoms so be careful.
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