Arthritis Treatment Pain Relief What You Need to Know About Advil Arthritis Pain-Reliever With an Easy-to-Open Cap By Cory Martin Cory Martin Facebook LinkedIn Cory Martin is the author of seven books including "Love Sick" a memoir about dating, life in Hollywood and dealing with MS. Her essays have appeared online with CNN, HuffPost, Everyday Health, Psychology Today, Folks, The Mighty, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 02, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Grant Hughes, MD Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD LinkedIn Grant Hughes, MD, is board-certified in rheumatology and is the head of rheumatology at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How It Works Ingredients Side Effects Warnings How To Take and Store Frequently Asked Questions An effective arthritis treatment will provide both pain relief and helpful ways to adjust to your body's limits caused by the disease. Advil Arthritis (ibuprofen) not only helps with the pain from arthritis but also comes with an innovative cap for those who have difficulty opening bottles due to arthritis in their hands. Living with arthritis can cause pain and limit your daily activities. Finding the right arthritis medication can help your quality of life. If you live with arthritis, you may not only be seeking relief from the pain, but also looking for ways to adapt to your changing joints. bloodstone / E+ / Getty Images Advil Arthritis is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve minor aches and pains caused by arthritis, headache, toothache, backache, menstrual cramps, the common cold, and muscle aches. Advil can also temporarily reduce fevers and reduce inflammation. Choosing Advil Arthritis over other Advil products may help address any difficulties you may have in opening bottles, thus making access to your medication easier. Using Advil Arthritis to treat your arthritis pain can help increase your quality of life. How Advil Arthritis Works Advil Arthritis works by stopping the body from releasing prostaglandins, a substance that causes pain, inflammation, and fever. The main ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen which has been proven to relieve pain and inflammation, resulting in arthritis pain relief. The benefit of Advil Arthritis for people who live with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is that the cap is made to provide a comfortable grip which allows for easier opening. Advil Liqui-Gels and Tablets in an Easy Open Arthritis cap were awarded the Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. If you live with arthritis you may find that purchasing this version of Advil with the easy-open cap removes the frustration and pain out of accessing your pain-relieving meds. Benefits of Advil and Ibuprofen Advil Arthritis Ingredients Advil Arthritis contains a variety of ingredients. The main active ingredient in Advil Arthritis is solubilized ibuprofen which is equal to 200 milligrams (mg) of ibuprofen. This version of ibuprofen is present as the free acid and potassium salt. Advil Arthritis also contains inactive ingredients. They are: FD&C green no. 3GelatinLecithin (soybean)Medium-chain triglyceridesPharmaceutical inkPolyethylene glycolPotassium hydroxidePurified waterSorbitol sorbitan solution Side Effects Like all medications, Advil can have side effects. These can range from mild to life threatening. Understanding the possible side effects can help you stay aware of any adverse effects the drug could have on you and alert you to any symptoms that may require medical attention. Common Side Effects The most common side effects are: ConstipationDiarrheaGas or bloatingDizzinessNervousnessRinging in the ears If any of these symptoms become severe or do not go away, contact your healthcare provider. Serious Side Effects Serious side effects can occur with any medication. Two of the most serious side effects of Advil Arthritis are stomach bleeding and heart problems or stroke. If you experience any of the following side effects, stop use and contact your healthcare provider immediately: Feel faintVomit bloodHave bloody or black stoolsHave stomach pain that does not get betterChest painTrouble breathingWeakness in one part or side of bodySlurred speechLeg swellingPain gets worse or lasts more than 10 daysFever gets worse or lasts more than 3 daysRedness or swelling is present in the painful areaAny new symptoms appear Advil Warnings Like all medications, Advil comes with warnings. It is best to be aware of these warnings to avoid adverse health effects. The major warnings with Advil are taking the drug with other NSAIDs and the effects of an overdose. Other NSAIDs Advil should not be taken with other NSAIDs such as aspirin, diclofenac, naproxen, and ibuprofen. Since Advil is in the same class as these other drugs, you run the risk of increasing the side effects of the drug. If you are taking low-dose aspirin for its cardio-protective benefits, there is some evidence that taking aspirin with Advil or other ibuprofen products can reduce the cardio-protective benefits and increase gastrointestinal risks. Please consult your practitioner to determine if the use of aspirin and Advil is right for you. Your healthcare provider may put you on specific dosage and timing of these drugs. Issues of Taking Aspirin With Ibuprofen Signs of an Ibuprofen Overdose Do not take more than the recommended dose of Advil Arthritis. An overdose can be a serious matter. While most people will recover from an overdose with prompt medical treatment, some people may develop chronic liver or kidney injury. In the case of a large overdose, recovery is less likely. If you suspect you or someone close to you has accidentally or intentionally taken more than the recommended dose of Advil, alert emergency services. The signs of an ibuprofen overdose are as follows: Ringing in the earsBlurred visionDiarrheaHeartburnNausea, vomiting (sometimes bloody)Stomach pain that could indicate possible bleeding in stomach and intestines)Low blood pressure (shock) and weakness Little to no urine productionDifficulty breathingWheezingAgitation, incoherent (not understandable)Drowsiness, even comaConvulsionsDizziness Severe headacheUnsteadiness, difficulty movingRashSweatingChills Do Not Use Advil Arthritis Do not use this medication:If you have ever had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDS.Right before or after heart surgery.During the last three months of pregnancy unless your healthcare provider directs you to do so. How To Take and Store Advil arthritis is taken orally with or without food. If you are 12 years of age and older, the proper dosage is one capsule/tablet every four to six hours to treat symptoms. If your pain or fever does not respond to one capsule/table you may take two. However, you should not exceed six 200 mg capsules/tablets in 24 hours unless your practitioner has told you this is okay. If you are under 12 years of age, ask your healthcare provider if this medication is right for you. Advil Arthritis should be stored away from children and pets in a secure area that’s temperature controlled. Check the expiration date on your bottle. If your Advil arthritis has expired, it is not recommended you take the drug as it is possible it has lost its potency and you might not receive the right amount of pain relieving ingredients. How to Decide If You Should Use Advil Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between regular Advil and Advil Easy Open Arthritis Cap? The medicine is the same for Advil and Easy Open Arthritis Cap. The only difference is the packaging. Regular Advil comes in childproof packaging that can be difficult to open for people with arthritis in their fingers, hand, or wrist. The Advil Easy Open Arthritis Cap provides a comfortable grip that is easier to open. Advil Easy Open Arthritis Cap is not childproof and should be stored away from children. Is Advil Arthritis available in the U.S.? No, Advil Arthritis is not available in the United States, but it is still sold in Canada. Advil Arthritis contains 400mg of ibuprofen, compared with 200mg in regular Advil. How much Advil can you take? Each Advil tablet or gelcap contains 200mg of ibuprofen. The proper dose is one capsule or tablet every four to six hours. If your pain does not respond to one pill, you can take two. However, you should not exceed 1,200mg of ibuprofen in a 24 hour period without consulting with your doctor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 7 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Advil.com. Advil Liqui-Gels. Bushra R, Aslam N. An overview of clinical pharmacology of Ibuprofen. Oman Med J. 2010;25(3):155-1661. doi:10.5001/omj.2010.49 Arthritis Foundation. Ease of use products. MedlinePlus. Ibuprofen. Combining Medications. Advil.com. https://www.advil.com/advil-safety/combining-medications/ Harvard Health Publishing. Aspirin and your heart: Many questions, some answers. MedlinePlus. Ibuprofen overdose.