When using Ibuprofen 600mg, you should follow the instructions given to you by the doctors. The usual dose given for arthritis treatment is one tablet to be taken up to four times a day. The tablets should be swallowd whole - not chewed - and with a drink of water, during or after meals. Do not take more than 4 tablets in any 24 hour period.

If you take more tablets than recommended by your doctor, you should speak to your doctor, pharmacist or hospital as soon as possible, taking your medicine with you. If you forget to take a dose, do not double up doses. Take the dose as soon as you remember if necessary and then take the next dose at the correct time.

The active ingredient in these tablets is Ibuprofen. The other ingredients are maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, croscamellose sodium, povidone, colloidal silicon dioxide, alginic acid, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol 400, erythrosine aluminium lake (E127) and titanium dioxide (E171)

Ibuprofen 600mg tablets should not be taken if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine or other NSAIDs such as aspirin. You should not take this medicine if you have had perforation or a bleeding stomach after taking other NSAIDs, if you have a stomach ulcer, perfpration or bleeding, or have had one twice or more in the past, if you suffer from severe heart, liver or kidney problems or if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

You should speak to your doctor before taking Ibuprofen 600mg tablets if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, have poor circulation in the legs, suffer from asthma, or have a past history of asthma, have a connective tissue disorder, have kidney or liver problems, have a history of gastrointestinal disease or suffer from bowel problems. Speak to your doctor if you are elderly or have heart problems, have had a stroke or think you may be at risk of these conditions. Ibuprofen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Any risk is more likely with higher doses and prolonged treatment. Do not exceed the recommended dose or duration of treatment.

You should make sure to mention if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. You should make sure to mention if you are taking these medicines especially as they may effect how Arthrotec works, or vise versa: other painkillers, COX-2 inhibitors, anti-platelet agents and anticoagulants, diuretics, corticosteroids, methotrexate, lithium, zidovudine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cholestyramine, voriconazole, fluconazole, gingko biloba herbal medicine, ciclosporin. tacrolimus, quinolone antibiotics, aminoglycosides, medicines that reduce high blood pressure or cardiac glycosides and if you have taken a medicine called mifepristone within the last 12 days.

If you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy, you should not take this medicine. If you are in the first 6 months of pregnancy or are breast-feeding, speak to your doctor before taking Ibuprofen.

As with all medicines, Ibuprofen 600mg can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. You should stop using Ibuprofen immediately if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction. You can minimise the risks of getting side effects by taking the least amount of tablets for the shortest amount of time necessary to control your symptoms. If, after taking Ibuprofen, you suffer from severe headaches, high temperature, stiffness of the neck, intolerance to the light, pass blood in your faeces, pass black tarry stools or vomit any blood or dark particles, then you should stop taking Ibuprofen immediately and seek immediate medical help. Other side effects include unexplained stomach pain or other abdominal stomach symptoms, indigestion, heartburn, feeling sick and/or vomiting, unexplained wheezing, shortness of breath, skin rash, itching, bruising, yellowing of the eyes and/or skin, severe sore throat with high fever, blurred or disturbed vision or seeing/hearing strange things, fluid retention, blood disorders, kidney problems, liver problems, severe skin reactions, aseptic meningitis, dizziness, tingling of hands and feet, ringin in the ears, depression, confusion, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, impaired hearing, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, unexpected sensitivty of the skin to the sun, tiredness, malaise, mood swings and swelling and irritation inside the nose. It has also been shown to sometimes worsen the symptoms of Crohn's disease or colitis.

If any of these side effects get serious, or you get side effects not listed above, please speak to your doctor or pharmacist.