Advil is a popular over-the-counter medication that has been used to relieve pain and reduce fever for decades. The active ingredient in Advil is ibuprofen, which was first discovered in the 1960s and was initially available only by prescription. However, in 1984, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the sale of ibuprofen without a prescription, and it quickly became a popular over-the-counter pain reliever [1].

In the 1980s, Advil faced some challenges due to the Tylenol murders, which occurred in 1982. These murders involved someone tampering with Tylenol capsules, resulting in the deaths of seven people. The incident led to increased scrutiny of over-the-counter medications and a push for tamper-resistant packaging. Advil responded to these concerns by introducing a new tamper-resistant cap in 1989 [2].

Advil has continued to evolve over time, with new formulations and delivery methods being introduced. For example, in 2001, Advil Liqui-Gels were introduced, which are designed to provide faster pain relief than traditional tablets or capsules. In 2016, Advil Dual Action was introduced, which combines ibuprofen with a pain-relieving medication called acetaminophen [3].

Overall, Advil has come a long way since its introduction as a prescription medication in the 1960s. Today, it is one of the most popular over-the-counter pain relievers on the market, and it continues to evolve with new formulations and delivery methods that aim to provide faster and more effective pain relief.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ADVIL
[2] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/tylenol-murders-1982
[3] https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html