What is the use of a 400 Tablet? A Look at Common Active Ingredients

October 8, 2025 •

3 min read

A 400 mg tablet does not refer to a single medication but a standardized dosage strength used across a variety of different drugs. The specific use of a 400 Tablet is entirely dependent on its active ingredient, which can range from an anti-inflammatory to a powerful antibiotic or antiparasitic medication.

Quick Summary

The specific use of a 400 mg tablet is determined by its active ingredient, which can be a pain reliever like ibuprofen, an antibiotic such as ofloxacin, or an antiparasitic like albendazole. Always identify the specific medication before use.

Key Points

Dosage vs. Medication: The term '400 Tablet' refers only to the dosage strength, not a single medication. The active ingredient determines its use.
Ibuprofen 400 mg: As an NSAID, it is commonly used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain, reduce fever, and decrease inflammation.
Albendazole 400 mg: This antiparasitic is prescribed to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, such as tapeworms.
Ofloxacin 400 mg: A type of antibiotic, it is used for a range of bacterial infections, including those affecting the respiratory and urinary tracts.
Professional Guidance is Key: Never take a medication based solely on its strength. Always confirm the specific drug and follow the prescription or pharmacist's instructions to avoid serious health risks.

Why a '400 Tablet' Isn't One Medication

The phrase '400 tablet' can cause confusion because it refers to the tablet's milligram (mg) strength, not its active ingredient. As a result, a doctor might prescribe a 400 mg tablet for a headache, while a different doctor could prescribe a different 400 mg tablet for a parasitic infection. Understanding the different types of medication commonly found in this strength is essential for proper and safe use.

Common Types of 400 mg Tablets and Their Uses

Ibuprofen (NSAID)

One of the most widely recognized medications available in a 400 mg dosage is ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Relieving Pain: It is used to alleviate mild to moderate pain, including headaches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, and backaches.
Reducing Inflammation: Ibuprofen helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and stiffness associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Lowering Fever: It is also effective at temporarily reducing fever caused by illnesses like the common cold or flu.

Ofloxacin (Antibiotic)

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is frequently manufactured in a 400 mg strength.

Treating Bacterial Infections: Ofloxacin is used to treat a wide spectrum of bacterial infections, such as those affecting the urinary tract, lungs (pneumonia), and skin.
Other Infections: It is also prescribed for typhoid fever, infectious diarrhea, and certain sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea.
How it Works: As an antibiotic, it functions by killing the bacteria responsible for the infection, preventing them from reproducing.

Albendazole (Antiparasitic)

Albendazole is a 400 mg antiparasitic medication used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms.

Combating Worm Infections: It is effective against tapeworm infections, including neurocysticercosis (caused by pork tapeworms) and cystic hydatid disease (from dog tapeworms).
Killing Parasites: The drug works by impairing the parasite's ability to absorb sugar and nutrients, leading to its death and elimination from the body.
Different Uses: Beyond tapeworms, it can also be used for other parasitic infections, such as roundworms and pinworms.

Gabapentin

Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, can also be found in a 400 mg capsule.

Treating Epilepsy: It is used to prevent seizures in patients with epilepsy.
Managing Nerve Pain: Gabapentin is also prescribed to treat nerve pain associated with shingles (postherpetic neuralgia).

Acyclovir

This antiviral medication is available in a 400 mg tablet and is used to treat viral infections.

Treating Herpes Infections: Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes simplex viruses, including cold sores and genital herpes outbreaks.
Managing Shingles and Chickenpox: It also helps treat shingles (caused by herpes zoster) and chickenpox by decreasing the severity and length of outbreaks.

The Critical Importance of Identifying the Active Ingredient

Using the wrong medication, even with the correct milligram strength, can have serious consequences. Taking a 400 mg ibuprofen for a bacterial infection that requires 400 mg of ofloxacin will not resolve the infection and may delay proper treatment. Likewise, confusing a psychoactive medication like Quetiapine with a simple painkiller is extremely dangerous.

This is why it is vital to read the prescription label carefully and understand what medication you are taking. Never rely solely on the dosage number stamped on the tablet. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Comparison of Common 400 mg Tablets


Feature	Ibuprofen (NSAID)	Albendazole (Antiparasitic)	Ofloxacin (Antibiotic)
Primary Use	Pain relief, inflammation, fever	Parasitic worm infections	Bacterial infections
Key Conditions	Arthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps, colds	Neurocysticercosis, hydatid disease, roundworms	UTIs, pneumonia, skin infections
Mechanism of Action	Blocks production of pain- and inflammation-causing substances	Impairs glucose uptake in parasites, killing them	Interferes with bacterial DNA synthesis
Common Side Effects	Stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, gas	Headache, nausea, dizziness, fever	Diarrhea, nausea, headache, dizziness
Prescription Status	Over-the-counter and prescription	Prescription only	Prescription only

Conclusion

The term 400 Tablet is a medical shortcut that can be dangerously misleading without proper context. In pharmacology, the active ingredient, not the dosage strength, defines a drug's purpose. From mitigating pain with ibuprofen to treating bacterial infections with ofloxacin or parasitic ones with albendazole, the 400 mg strength is merely a measurement. Always verify the medication's name and intended use with a healthcare professional to ensure safe and effective treatment. Relying on dosage strength alone could lead to serious health complications or ineffective therapy.

For more detailed information on specific drugs, consult the National Institutes of Health's MedlinePlus database: https://medlineplus.gov/

Frequently Asked Questions

A 400 mg ibuprofen tablet is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain, inflammation, and fever. A 400 mg albendazole tablet is an antiparasitic medication used to kill parasitic worms.

No, you should not assume that any 400 mg tablet is suitable for a headache. Only a tablet containing an appropriate active ingredient, such as ibuprofen, should be used for this purpose. Other 400 mg tablets, like antibiotics or antiparasitics, are for entirely different conditions.

A 400 mg antibiotic tablet, such as one containing ofloxacin, is used to treat bacterial infections. This can include infections of the lungs (pneumonia), urinary tract, skin, and certain sexually transmitted diseases.

No, it is not safe to switch between different medications just because they have the same 400 mg dosage. Each drug has a unique active ingredient and mechanism of action, and should only be taken for its intended purpose under medical supervision.

Common side effects of a 400 mg ofloxacin tablet can include dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, and headaches. It is important to consult a doctor if side effects persist or worsen.

Storage instructions vary by medication. Generally, medications should be stored at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture, and kept out of reach of children. Always check the specific packaging or consult your pharmacist for guidance.

A single 400 mg tablet, such as ibuprofen, can be used for pain relief, but a different 400 mg tablet, like an antibiotic, is needed for an infection. You must use the correct medication for the correct condition.