Ibuprofen is a medicine used to reduce mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever, and/or stiffness. It can also be used to treat
osteoarthritis or
rheumatoid arthritis symptoms or painful menstrual periods. It is available in both prescription and non-prescription strengths.
Ibuprofen may be used by itself or combined with other medications in several
common cold, flu,
migraine, and sinus products. These can be used to help relieve common
cold symptoms,
flu symptoms, or sinus problems, such as fever, aches, and pains.
Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or
NSAIDs for short. It is available as a generic
(see Generic Ibuprofen) and is also sold under a number of brand names, including
Motrin®, Advil
®, Genpril
®, and Nuprin
®, as well as combination medicines such as Vicoprofen
® (hydrocodone and ibuprofen) and Combunox
® (oxycodone and ibuprofen).
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs are thought to work by inhibiting the action of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. These hormones are called prostaglandins.
By blocking the effects of prostaglandins, ibuprofen is useful for reducing fever and pain related to a number of conditions. This includes pain and joint swelling associated with different forms of
arthritis and other conditions; and pain related to inflammation or bone, muscle, or tendon injury.
Some general considerations for how to take the medication include the following:
- It comes in tablet, capsule, caplet, and oral suspension (liquid) forms.
- It is best if you take ibuprofen with food or milk to avoid an upset stomach.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the ibuprofen tablets, capsules, or caplets.
- For it to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
- It is important to take the lowest effective dose for the least amount of time in order to treat your condition. This will decrease the chances of serious side effects occurring.
- If using over-the-counter ibuprofen products, you should follow the instructions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended over-the-counter doses, and do not take the medication for more than 10 days for pain relief or 3 days for fever unless your healthcare provider recommends doing so.
The dosage your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The form of ibuprofen
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with ibuprofen. Yet not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. When people do develop side effects, in many cases they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by the patient or healthcare provider.
The most common side effects of this medication include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Unexplained rash.
Less common but serious side effects include:
These possible side effects are associated with
NSAIDs in general and can lead to life-threatening complications or even loss of life.
(Click Ibuprofen Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of ibuprofen, including possible serious side effects that may occur.)
Ibuprofen can potentially interact with a number of medicines.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that people using
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, may have a higher risk of having a
heart attack or
stroke than those people who do not take NSAIDs. This warning does not apply to those who take aspirin. This risk may be higher in people who have been taking NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, for a long time. These events can occur without any warning and can lead to death. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any of the following:
You should also talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
- Asthma
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease or liver failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Nasal polyps
- Bleeding problems (or if you are taking medicine that decreases your blood's ability to clot)
- Diabetes
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE)
- Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, or a history of either condition
- Any allergies to medicines, including sulfa drugs, aspirin, or other NSAID pain medicines.
Let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant (see Ibuprofen and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Drink alcohol frequently
- Smoke
- Are having or have recently had heart surgery.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much ibuprofen may have overdose symptoms that could include but are not limited to:
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Excessive sleepiness
- Coma.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Store ibuprofen in an airtight container and keep it at room temperature.
Keep ibuprofen and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your ibuprofen as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
Ibuprofen tablets, caplets, and oral suspension are available in several strengths.
Non-prescription strengths include:
- Ibuprofen 100 mg
- Ibuprofen 200 mg
- Ibuprofen 50 mg/1.25 mL oral solution -- 1.25 mL contains 50 mg of ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen 100 mg/5mL oral solution -- one teaspoon (5 mL) contains 125 mg of ibuprofen
Prescription strengths include:
- Ibuprofen 400 mg
- Ibuprofen 600 mg
- Ibuprofen 800 mg.
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