Question: I have chronic arthritis and I take about 10 ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) a day to control the pain in my hands. I’ve been doing this for about five years without a problem, but my friends tell me this dosage is too high. What do you think?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:
If you are taking standard over-the-counter ibuprofen pills, which are 200 mg each, it means you are taking a total of 2,000 mgs a day. Ibuprofen dosage varies for different conditions and the recommended dose for arthritis is 1,200 to 3,200 mg per day, divided into three or four equal doses. Make sure you make regular visits to your doctor’s office to check your progress. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects such as bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke, or if you drink alcohol regularly. Keep a watch for swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain; black, tarry stools; and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; yellow skin or eyes; decreased urination; bleeding or bruising.