Why take 800 mg of Ibuprofen? (wisdom teeth removal)

[Panacea]

My 21-year old son went to the oral surgeon this morning and had six teeth removed (4 wisdom teeth and two other 'back' teeth).

The doctor gave us five prescriptions when we left. Four of them seemed routine: Demerol, Phinnagren, Amoxicillin, and some kind of extra-super-duty mouthwash.

He also prescribed an 800-mg Ibuprofen, 1 tablet 3 times a day until finished, which puzzled me.

I have two questions:

1 What would be the purpose of prescribing high-strength Ibuprofen in this case? (I'm guessing maybe for reduction of swelling).

2 Isn't that an awful lot of this medication? Seems to me I remember reading that one can take 600 mg every six hours for toothache if nothing else is available, but it seemed like a "last resort" thing.

I have suggested to son that he not take the Ibuprofen unless he begins to have a problem with swelling, and he has not taken any so far. My reasoning is that, since he had an adverse reaction this morning to the anasthetic, his stomach was already irritated and unless swelling was severe there was no need to upset his stomach again.

Thanks for any advice/enlightenment you may have.

[Darmund]

When I had a cracked tooth and an abscess several years ago the dentist told me it was ok to take up to 4 times the maximum dosage on the bottle. Which, IIRC came to 800 mg. I don't think I actually took that much, but that's at least two docs who say it's ok.

[Jeff]

My guess would be general pain-killing, swelling-reduction. If his stomach can handle it (I think ibuprofen is recommended to be taken with meals), I don't know there would be a reason not to take it. I'd trust that the doctor wouldn't be giving him a harmful level of medication.

[Chacoguy]

Just chiming in to recommend the food thing.

[Falcon]

You can always call a pharmacist and double-check that this is a safe dose. And call the doctor's office too to confirm that's what's intended. If it is, though, I am pretty sure it's best to start *before* the inflammation sets in.

IANAD, but when I saw a doc who was trying to treat my chronic sinus infections with antibiotics, he was piling on more than you'd usually take, and he said it was because of the difficulty in getting the medication to the sinuses. Maybe there is a similar consideration for gums.

[I Ate Yellow Snow]

I've had my knees operated on three times, and I can tell you that the 800mg Iboprofen tablets are wonderful. You're right, as they help with both the pain and swelling. It's a safe dosage for the short term. A warning, though, take them with food, or pay the price of the worst indigestion you've ever had. I only made that mistake once.

[St. Urho]

800 mg of ibuprofen is a real common dose. Unless he's had stomach problems from it in the past, I wouldn't sweat it. Although I got Lortab when I got my wisdom teeth out. That's good stuff!

St. Urho
Paramedic

[severe delays]

I've been repeatedly advised to take 800mg of Ibuprofen for various ailments. It does help to reduce swelling and also provides pain-relief. He should definitely take it with food though and if he finds he's getting an irritated stomach then he should switch to enteric Ibuprofen which has a coating and less of an impact.

[Panacea]

Thanks so much for the info, y'all.

[Wretched Creature]

Just a note: While 800 mg of ibuprofen is sometimes prescribed for limited duration when an anti-inflammatory effect is desired, this dose should not be used for any longer than the doctor has prescribed, nor should the rest of us assume we can routinely use 800-mg doses to treat hangover headaches, etc. Older people, people with pre-existing stomach disease, and people who drink a lot of alcohol are all at higher risk for stomach ulcers and bleeding, and high doses of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can be toxic to the kidneys.

There, I have done my conscientious deed for the day. Carry on. (Hope your son has a quick recovery, NinetyWt!)

[Panacea]

Thanks WC, like most young people he has bounced back quickly and is feeling pretty good today. He hasn't had any swelling yet, and not much pain either. He's mostly tickled that I'm pampering him with some special meals and his favorite cake.

[Doyle]

I'd be demanding 30 10mg Lortabs with at least one refill. Your son needs a more responsible dentist.

[Panacea]

Well he got 20 50-mg Demerol, that worked really well. He's all better today.

[Islander]

Just FTR, 400 mg. is the regular prescription strength (double the recommended dosage on the OTC bottle). A lot of people seem to know this and will take the 400 for both inflammation and pain relief. But take the above comments on the double hit seriously. That's never meant to be routine!