Ibuprofen, which is available in both brand-name and generic forms, is a commonly used medication that can treat pain, inflammation, and stiffness associated with various medical conditions. It can also act as a fever reducer. In general, most people can take this drug without any problems; however, in some cases, an ibuprofen substitute needs to be considered.
For example, ibuprofen is not right for everyone. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (
NSAID), and NSAIDs can present a risk to people who have a history of certain medical conditions, like
heart disease, or to people who use such drugs for a long time. Or, on the other hand, you may develop bothersome but not necessarily serious side effects (like nausea,
heartburn, or dizziness) that require you to find a substitute for ibuprofen.
(Click List of NSAIDs for an in-depth look at possible ibuprofen substitutes. This article explains in more detail how these medications work, conditions they can treat, and the specific alternatives you can try.)