Where is the law laid down stating how many ibuprofen tablets one person can buy at one time?

Question

I need to buy ibuprofen tablets on a regular basic, and its cheaper than on prescription. Every time i go out to get them i have a problem with the assistants. Every shop seems to have different policies and i keep getting quoted "we can only sell two packs to a customer its the law" no one can tell me where they are get the law from, i know it stands for paracetomal products but can find the guide lines for ibuprofen please help as they are driving me mad, wouldnt mind so much if they were consistant and all quoted the same amount

Sorry forgot to say im from Nottingham England, my fault very new at this, and the two packs contain 16 tablets. Thanks.

Answer 1

To be quite honest I don't know of any law about ibuprofen. I know they put a hold on sudaphed, which is understandable.

I would either call a doctor or your local pharmacy and ask, they would be best to know the law in your area.

Answer 2

I know this is not the answer but I thought it was a foor health safety, but reading the other answers I'm not so sure now. I know they only sell so many paracetamol in pakes of 32, because I was told that if you take them on a regular basis they effect your liver, that is when people are taking them everyday. Yet when I asked my doctor he gave me a "repeat prescription for 100".

I know Ibuprofen can effect your stomach if you have ulcers, acidity or something like that, without food they can make your stomach bleed. However, I thought the maximum dosage was 400mgs, 3 times a day and they are also available on prescription, I know they can be taken with Paracetamol, if the pain is severe. However what I don't know is the amount you are allowed to buy, because, I am not very good with Ibuprofen, but have had to take it when in very bad pain, the doctor prescribes about 60 to 100 at a time.

I don't understand it, the pharmasist tells you one thing and the doctor tells you "well, they're just crossing their T's and dotting their i's because of safety precautions". I did note that Actifed was sold in America, as much as you want, while in the U.K we have to ask the pharmasist and they only give you one pack at a time. I hope you find your answer.

Answer 3

I work in a chemist and if someone comes in with a prescription for ibuprofen for say 100 tablets and they are cheaper to buy over the counter, then we will sell them the 100 tablets.
Its up to the pharmacist how many they can sell at one time but if it was more than 100, then they probably wouldnt sell them.
If the doctor has gave you the OK to use ibuprofen on a regular basis, then get them to write you a prescription for it, show it to tha assistants, buy the tablets OTC and ask for the prescription back. Then you will be able to use it again.

Answer 4

A medical professional that can't spell Suafed? Seems a bit odd don't you think? I the United States there are no laws regarding the number of packages of an over the counter medication you can buy and Ibuprofen is available in bottles of 1000 so that should last awhile since a prescription dose is 600 mg or 800mg. If you are in the UK that might not apply.

Answer 5

The problem with Ibuprofen is they shouldn't be taken long term due to the serious side effects they, and other anti inflammatories can cause, especially the risk of gut ulcers and gastro-intestinal bleeding. Many more serious side effects too.
Each chemist probably has their own policies on dispensing ibuprofen, depending which you go to. A bit like every NHS trust has their own policy for the administration of this drug. This will be why you cannot get more than two packs.

Answer 6

The reason that shops such as supermarkets only sell you 2 packs is because they aren't medically trained & don't know your history. Any trained staff or medical book will tell you that ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, therefore it can erode your stomach lining, causing ulcers & bleeding & should never be taken on an empty stomach. any pharmacist who did sell you a large quantity of any painkiller without asking questions should be struck off. You can only get large packs of soluble painkillers, as it is difficult to overdose on them. I don't know what your symptoms are, but I take devils claw for my arthritis. It has no side effects, and anyway I don't want to take pain killers every day. Make sure you check all options available to you, and I hope things aren't too bad.

Answer 7

I have a weird solution -- why not order them from the states? I get my double pack (500 each in a bottle) from Costco for about $10-15. You would avoid the assistants issue, get what you need, etc. You would need a credit card and to pay the shipping, but you never know -- it might even be on Amazon. Is this against the law? (I wouldn't want to encourage you if it was.) Just a thought!

Answer 8

There is no specific law relating to the quantity that be sold in any one transaction for ibuprofen, as there is in the case of aspirin and paracetamol.

However, various companies adopt different positions on how to deal with requests for large quantities of painkillers so the amount you can buy in one store can vary depending on who owns the pharmacy contract.

In addition to this pharmacists have a legal and moral duty of care to patients to ensure that all medicines are sold for the purpose they are intended, they are used correctly and at correct dosage and that the person who is buying them is not being treated by their doctor with other medications that may interact with the purchased one.

As a pharmacist myself i can assure you that i, and the other pharmacists i work with, have no problem selling larger quantities provided the pharmacist is happy to sell in relation to the points i set out before. One major barrier to requests for large quantities is the attitude of the people requesting them. People who refuse to answer my questions, are rude, insulting, abusive or condescending are generally denied their requests.

Hope this helps

Answer 9

There seems to be a stigma attached to this practise however it is for your own good it seems. If you read the contra indications to Ibuprofen it is really bad for the kidneys and various other organs, so they are just doing it to protect you. However if you and a large dose purchase over the web or explain to your pharmacist why you are buying in bulk. Also if you want to know more contact http://www.ibuprofen-foundation.com/ best wishes Dochsa.co.uk

Answer 10

There is no law about ibuprofen there just may be a store rule call the pharmasist and ask them if they know of a law then tell the cashiers they are full of it