Finding a tablet marked “I 10” can be confusing, especially when you no longer have the original prescription bottle. An imprint can help identify a medicine, but it is not always enough on its own. A white, oblong or capsule-shaped tablet marked “I 10,” about 19 mm long, is identified as ibuprofen 800 mg. The color, shape, size, and markings on both sides should still match before you assume that is the medicine you have.
Identifying the tablet is only the first step. An 800 mg dose of ibuprofen is a prescription-strength NSAID that can help with pain and inflammation, but it also carries important risks involving the stomach, heart, kidneys, blood pressure, and drug interactions. Pregnancy, older age, heart disease, kidney problems, aspirin, blood thinners, and other medicines can also affect how safe it is. This guide explains what the white I 10 tablet contains, what it is used for, how to take it, and the key safety issues to know before using it.
I 10 Pill: Appearance, Strength and Identification
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Imprint | I 10 |
| Active ingredient | Ibuprofen |
| Strength | 800 mg |
| Color | White to off-white |
| Shape | Oblong / caplet-shaped |
| Size | About 19 mm |
| Drug class | NSAID |
| Main uses | Pain and inflammation |
| Controlled substance | No |
The specific white, oblong tablet is identified as ibuprofen 800 mg and is not a controlled substance.
What Does the I 10 Imprint Mean?
I 10 is the marking placed on the tablet to help identify the product. When that imprint appears on a white, oblong or caplet-shaped tablet measuring about 19 mm, it matches the identification for 800 mg ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen belongs to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) family. It works by reducing the production of prostaglandins, substances involved in pain, inflammation, and fever.
It is important to separate the imprint from the active ingredient. “I 10” describes the tablet marking. Ibuprofen is the medicine inside the tablet. Similar I10 or I 10 markings can appear on other products, which is why the complete appearance matters when identifying an unknown medication.
How to Identify the White I 10 Tablet
A reliable identification should use several physical features rather than one marking.
Check the imprint
Look closely at the letters and numbers. The ibuprofen product is marked I 10. Record the marking exactly as you see it, but do not use spacing alone to identify the medicine.
Check the color and shape
The ibuprofen version is white to off-white and oblong or caplet-shaped. A tablet with a similar marking but a different appearance may contain another active ingredient.
Check the size
This tablet is approximately 19 mm long. Size can help separate products that have similar markings.
Look at both sides
Check for additional numbers, letters, logos, score lines, or other markings. The other side can provide another useful identification clue.
Check the original packaging
A prescription bottle, pharmacy label, blister pack, or original box can confirm the medicine name and strength.
What is the NDC number?
An NDC, or National Drug Code, can provide another way to confirm a specific drug product when the original package is available. It can identify the product, labeler, strength, and package information.
The I 10 ibuprofen product is associated with the 62207-0356 product code. The complete NDC can vary by package size, so use the number printed on the original pharmacy packaging when checking a specific product.
What if the tablet has a logo or no imprint?
When a tablet has a logo or symbol, use it together with the visible letters, numbers, color, shape, and size. If there is no imprint, do not identify the medicine from appearance alone. A pharmacist can help verify an unknown tablet.
Can More Than One Medicine Have an I10 Imprint?
Yes. The marking I10 or I 10 is not unique to ibuprofen. The tablet’s physical appearance helps distinguish different medicines.
| Appearance | Possible medicine | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| White, oblong, I 10 | Ibuprofen | 800 mg |
| White, round, I10 | Isoxsuprine hydrochloride | 10 mg |
| Red, capsule-shaped, I10 | Isotretinoin | 10 mg |
| Blue, three-sided, I 10 | Nebivolol | 20 mg |
Some pill-database records may refer to products that are no longer marketed. When there is any uncertainty, match the full appearance and check the original packaging rather than relying on the imprint alone.
What Is Ibuprofen 800 mg?
Ibuprofen is a non-opioid pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medicine. As an NSAID, it can reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.
Prescription products are available in several strengths, including 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg. An 800 mg tablet contains four times as much ibuprofen as a 200 mg tablet, but a larger dose does not automatically provide greater pain relief.
What Is This Ibuprofen Tablet Used For?
An 800 mg dose may be prescribed for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute pain, and primary menstrual pain. It may also be used for other painful inflammatory conditions when a healthcare professional considers treatment appropriate.
The condition being treated matters because the dose, frequency, and length of treatment can vary. Prescription-strength ibuprofen should be used according to the treatment plan provided by the prescriber.
For ongoing musculoskeletal pain, it can also help to look beyond medication alone. Our guide to chronic back pain explains some of the broader factors that can contribute to persistent pain.
How Does Ibuprofen Work?
Ibuprofen lowers the production of prostaglandins, which are involved in pain, swelling, and fever.
The medicine is absorbed relatively quickly after an oral dose, with peak blood levels generally occurring within about one to two hours. The amount of time needed to notice pain relief can vary based on the condition and the individual response.
Dosage and How to Take Ibuprofen 800 mg
The appropriate amount depends on the condition being treated and factors such as age, kidney function, heart health, stomach history, and other medicines.
The general principle is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed. For adults, the labeled maximum total daily dose is 3,200 mg, but that amount is not appropriate for everyone.
For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, labeled treatment can range from 1,200 mg to 3,200 mg per day, divided into several doses. The prescriber should determine the actual dose based on response and risk factors.
Is 800 mg better than 400 mg for pain?
Not necessarily. In controlled trials involving mild-to-moderate pain, doses above 400 mg did not provide greater average pain relief than 400 mg. Higher doses can still have a role in certain inflammatory conditions, but taking more medicine does not automatically mean better pain control.
Medication is also not the only option for managing ongoing pain. For many musculoskeletal conditions, non-drug approaches to pain management such as physical therapy can be part of a broader treatment plan.
How should you take it?
Take prescription ibuprofen exactly as directed. Do not take it more often or in a larger amount than prescribed.
If the medicine causes stomach upset, taking it with food or milk may help.
If you miss a dose, follow the directions on your prescription. Do not take an extra dose unless your healthcare professional tells you to.
Common Side Effects of Ibuprofen 800 mg
Ibuprofen can cause digestive and other mild side effects. These may include stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas, dizziness, and headache.
Persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Serious Side Effects to Know
Some reactions to NSAIDs can be serious or life-threatening.
Stomach bleeding and ulcers
Ibuprofen can cause ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and perforation. These problems can occur without warning and are more likely in some people, including older adults and those with a history of ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Vomiting blood, black stools, fainting, or severe stomach pain needs urgent medical attention.
Heart attack and stroke
NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. This risk may occur early in treatment and can rise with higher doses and longer use.
Chest pain, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, or difficulty breathing requires emergency care.
Kidney problems
Ibuprofen can reduce blood flow to the kidneys and cause kidney injury in some people. The risk is higher with kidney disease, dehydration, heart failure, and certain other medical conditions.
Liver problems
Serious liver injury is uncommon but possible. Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness, or other signs of liver trouble should be checked promptly.
Severe allergic reactions
A serious allergic reaction can cause hives, swelling of the face or throat, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. People who have previously reacted to aspirin or another NSAID may be at greater risk.
Serious skin reactions
Rarely, ibuprofen can cause severe skin reactions. A widespread rash, blistering, or peeling skin needs prompt medical attention.
Who Should Use Extra Caution?
People with certain health conditions may need extra caution when using prescription-strength ibuprofen. This includes people with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, or asthma related to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Your healthcare professional should also know about every prescription medicine, over-the-counter product, vitamin, and supplement you use. This is especially important when other medicines affect the kidneys, blood pressure, stomach, or blood clotting.
Ibuprofen and High Blood Pressure
Ibuprofen can cause new high blood pressure or make existing hypertension harder to control. It may also reduce the effect of some medicines used to lower blood pressure.
People taking ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or diuretics may need closer monitoring. If your blood pressure changes after starting treatment, speak with your healthcare professional rather than changing another medicine on your own.
Pain itself can also affect blood pressure. Our guide on how pain can affect blood pressure explains how acute and chronic pain can influence blood-pressure responses.
Ibuprofen and Heart Failure
NSAIDs can cause fluid retention and edema, which may worsen heart failure. They can also reduce the effect of medicines used to manage heart failure, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers.
People with heart failure should discuss ibuprofen use with a healthcare professional before taking it, especially when treatment is prolonged or the heart failure is severe.
New or worsening swelling, rapid weight gain, or increasing shortness of breath should be assessed promptly.
Ibuprofen After a Heart Attack
Ibuprofen needs special caution after a recent heart attack because NSAIDs can increase cardiovascular risk.
People who have recently had a myocardial infarction should generally avoid NSAID treatment unless a healthcare professional decides that it is necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you recently had a heart attack, do not start or continue prescription-strength ibuprofen without discussing it with your doctor.
Ibuprofen Drug Interactions
Ibuprofen can interact with medicines that affect blood clotting, kidney function, blood pressure, or inflammation. Important examples include aspirin, blood thinners, other NSAIDs, certain blood-pressure medicines, diuretics, lithium, methotrexate, corticosteroids, and some antidepressants.
Ibuprofen and aspirin
Ibuprofen can interfere with the antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin in some circumstances. If you take aspirin regularly for heart or stroke prevention, ask a healthcare professional how the medicines should be used together.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs
Do not combine ibuprofen with another NSAID unless a healthcare professional tells you to. Taking multiple anti-inflammatory medicines can increase the risk of stomach bleeding, kidney injury, and other adverse effects.
Ibuprofen and blood thinners
Ibuprofen can increase bleeding risk when combined with certain anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines. Make sure your healthcare professional knows about these medications before you use prescription-strength ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen and Alcohol
Alcohol can increase concern about stomach irritation, ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding associated with NSAIDs. The risk is especially important with regular heavy alcohol use or other risk factors such as a history of ulcers, blood thinners, steroids, other NSAIDs, or prolonged ibuprofen use.
If you drink alcohol regularly, ask your healthcare professional whether ibuprofen is a suitable choice.
Ibuprofen During Pregnancy
Ibuprofen requires special caution during pregnancy.
The FDA recommends avoiding NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later unless a healthcare professional specifically recommends them. Exposure during this period can cause fetal kidney problems and low amniotic fluid.
Around 30 weeks of pregnancy and later, NSAIDs can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus, which can affect fetal circulation.
If you took an I 10 tablet while pregnant, contact your healthcare professional before taking another dose.
Ibuprofen and Breastfeeding
Ibuprofen passes into breast milk in very small amounts. It has a short half-life and is generally considered a preferred pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medicine for many breastfeeding mothers.
If you need repeated 800 mg doses while breastfeeding, discuss the treatment with your healthcare professional so the dose and duration can be matched to your needs.
Ibuprofen in Children
The white I 10 tablet contains 800 mg of ibuprofen and should not be given to a child simply because children can use ibuprofen in other strengths.
Children often need doses based on body weight, age, and the condition being treated. The safety and effectiveness of this specific 800 mg prescription tablet have not been established in pediatric patients.
A pediatric healthcare professional should choose the medicine and dose for a child.
Ibuprofen in Older Adults
Older adults may have a higher risk of complications from NSAIDs because kidney function can decline with age and other medical conditions are more common. This can make high-strength ibuprofen harder to tolerate.
Older adults are also more likely to take several medicines at the same time, which can increase the chance of drug interactions. A medication review is useful before starting or continuing long-term treatment.
Long-Term Ibuprofen Use
Taking ibuprofen for a few days is different from using it regularly for weeks or months.
Long-term NSAID use can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, cardiovascular complications, and high blood pressure. People who need prolonged treatment may require monitoring based on their health and other medicines.
Depending on the situation, a healthcare professional may monitor blood pressure, kidney function, liver function, or blood counts. Long-term treatment should also be reviewed regularly to make sure the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Ibuprofen?
Taking too much ibuprofen can be dangerous. Possible symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, and ringing in the ears. Severe poisoning can affect the kidneys, digestive system, nervous system, and other organs.
If you think you or someone else has taken too much, seek medical help promptly. Do not wait for severe symptoms to appear.
I 10 Tablet vs Advil vs Motrin
I 10 is the tablet imprint, while ibuprofen is the active ingredient.
Advil and Motrin are brand names associated with ibuprofen products. They can come in different strengths and dosage forms, so the brand name alone does not tell you how much medicine a product contains.
The tablet discussed in this guide contains 800 mg of ibuprofen.
I 10 Tablet vs Other Ibuprofen 800 mg Tablets
The I 10 tablet is only one appearance of an 800 mg ibuprofen product.
Different manufacturers can use different imprints, colors, shapes, and markings for the same medicine and strength. Several 800 mg ibuprofen tablets can look different even though they contain the same active ingredient.
This means an 800 mg ibuprofen tablet does not have to say I 10 to contain the same strength.
What If Your I10 Tablet Looks Different?
If the tablet says I10 but is round, red, blue, or another shape or color, do not automatically assume it is ibuprofen.
Compare the complete imprint, color, shape, size, other-side markings, and original packaging. If the details do not match the white oblong tablet described here, have it identified by a pharmacist before taking it.
I10 Pill Identification Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake is identifying a medicine from the I10 imprint alone. A complete match should include the tablet’s physical characteristics.
Another mistake is assuming that a higher dose always provides better pain relief. For mild-to-moderate pain, doses above 400 mg did not provide greater average relief in controlled trials, even though higher doses have a role in certain inflammatory conditions.
You should also avoid taking two NSAIDs together unless a healthcare professional specifically tells you to. Different brand names do not always mean different active ingredients.
Finally, do not take an unknown tablet because an online image looks similar. When the full appearance does not match, professional identification is the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the I10 pill ibuprofen 800 mg?
A white, oblong or caplet-shaped tablet marked I 10 is identified as ibuprofen 800 mg. The color and shape should also match.
What does I 10 mean on a pill?
I 10 is the imprint on the tablet. The white oblong version is identified as an 800 mg ibuprofen tablet, but similar I10 markings can appear on other medicines.
What does the white I 10 tablet look like?
It is generally white to off-white and oblong or caplet-shaped and is about 19 mm long. It contains 800 mg of ibuprofen.
Is the I10 tablet a strong painkiller?
It contains 800 mg of ibuprofen, making it a high-strength NSAID. It is not an opioid painkiller.
Is the I10 tablet the same as Advil or Motrin?
The tablet contains ibuprofen, while Advil and Motrin are brand names used for ibuprofen products. The strength and dosage form can differ.
Can I take ibuprofen 800 mg with aspirin?
Ibuprofen can interfere with the antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin in some situations. If you take aspirin for heart or stroke prevention, ask a healthcare professional before using the medicines together regularly.
Can I take ibuprofen 800 mg with Tylenol?
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are different types of pain relievers and may sometimes be used together in adults. Whether they are appropriate together depends on your health, other medicines, and the total dose of each drug. For more information, see our guide on taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together.
Can I take ibuprofen 800 mg with naproxen?
Naproxen is another NSAID. Taking it with ibuprofen can increase the risk of side effects, including stomach bleeding and kidney problems. Do not combine them unless a healthcare professional advises you to.
Can I take ibuprofen during pregnancy?
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen should generally be avoided at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later unless specifically recommended by a healthcare professional.
Can you drink alcohol with ibuprofen 800 mg?
Regular or heavy alcohol use can increase concern about stomach irritation and gastrointestinal bleeding with NSAIDs. If you drink alcohol regularly, ask a healthcare professional whether ibuprofen is appropriate for you.
How long does ibuprofen 800 mg take to work?
Ibuprofen is absorbed relatively quickly, with peak blood levels generally occurring within about one to two hours, although noticeable pain relief varies between people and conditions.
What should I do if my I 10 tablet looks different?
Do not assume it is ibuprofen. Check the imprint, color, shape, size, and other markings, and have the tablet confirmed by a pharmacist if anything does not match.
What happens when you take ibuprofen 800 mg for the first time?
You may not notice any problems, but some people can experience stomach upset, heartburn, nausea, dizziness, or headache.
Seek prompt medical attention for chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, vomiting blood, black stools, or severe skin reactions.
Can ibuprofen 800 mg be misused or overused?
Ibuprofen is not a controlled substance, but taking more than prescribed, taking it more often than directed, or using it for longer than recommended can increase the risk of serious side effects, including stomach bleeding, kidney problems, and cardiovascular complications.
Taking more does not necessarily provide better pain relief. For mild-to-moderate pain, doses above 400 mg did not provide greater average relief in controlled trials.
Key Takeaways
The white, oblong I 10 tablet is identified as ibuprofen 800 mg, an NSAID used to relieve pain and inflammation. This identification depends on the tablet’s complete appearance rather than the imprint alone. If the color, shape, size, or other markings do not match, the medication should be verified before it is taken.
Ibuprofen 800 mg can be effective when used appropriately, but it is not suitable for everyone and should not be treated like a routine low-strength pain reliever. Its risks include gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular problems, kidney injury, fluid retention, and drug interactions. People who are pregnant, older, taking blood thinners or aspirin, or living with conditions such as kidney disease, heart failure, or high blood pressure may need particular caution.
Use this medicine exactly as prescribed. If you are unsure whether a tablet is the white I 10 ibuprofen product, or you have questions about interactions, pregnancy, dosage, or an existing health condition, do not rely on appearance or guesswork. A pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional can confirm the medication and help determine whether it is appropriate for you.
References
- DailyMed — Ibuprofen 800 mg Tablets
- FDA — NSAIDs and Pregnancy
- FDA — Ibuprofen and Aspirin
- MedlinePlus — Ibuprofen
- LactMed — Ibuprofen
- Drugs.com — I 10 Pill Identifier
- Drugs.com — I10 Pill Identification Results
- Medicine.com — I 10 Pill Finder
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not identify an unknown pill from an imprint alone. Always confirm medication details with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before taking it.