Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a medication that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to pain, inflammation, fever, and stiffness. Some of these conditions include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and painful menstrual periods. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and is thought to work by blocking the effects of certain hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. The drug is sold either by itself or combined with other medications for treating the common cold, flu, migraine, and sinus pain.

 

What Is Ibuprofen?

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.
 
(Click Ibuprofen Uses for more information on how ibuprofen may be used, as well as possible off-label uses for ibuprofen.)
 
Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short. Ibuprofen 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).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;