Advil, which contains ibuprofen, typically starts working within about 15 to 30 minutes after ingestion, with peak effectiveness reached around 1 to 2 hours
. The pain relief effects generally last between 4 to 8 hours, though some formulations like Advil 12 Hour are designed to provide relief for up to 12 hours
. Ibuprofen has a half-life of approximately 1.8 to 2 hours, meaning it takes about 10 hours for the drug to be mostly eliminated from the body after a single dose
. However, the duration of pain relief is shorter than the time ibuprofen stays in the system because the drug's active effects typically last 4 to 6 hours for most people
. Factors that can influence how long Advil lasts include the dose taken, individual metabolism, liver function, age, and whether it is taken with food (which can delay absorption but not reduce effectiveness)
. In summary:
- Onset: 15–30 minutes
- Peak effect: 1–2 hours
- Duration of pain relief: 4–8 hours (up to 12 hours for extended-release forms)
- Time to clear from body: about 10 hours
This means you can expect Advil to relieve pain for several hours, but it will remain in your system for around 10 hours before being fully eliminated
