Ibuprofen Drug Details
Generic Name:
Common Brands:
Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB, Midol, Addaprin, Cedaprin, I-Prin, Profen IB, NeoProfen, Ultraprin, Proprinal
Availability:
Prescription and over-the-counter
Therapeutic Class:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Forms:
Tablets, chewable tablets, oral suspension
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
- Pain caused by arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Headache
- Menstrual cramps
- Backache
- Muscle aches
- Toothache
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
Ibuprofen Drug Class
Ibuprofen (aye buh proh fen) belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ibuprofen Age Range
Ibuprofen is approved for use in adults and children 6 months of age and older. You should not give ibuprofen to children under 6 months of age unless approved by the child’s doctor. The dosage of ibuprofen in children over the age of 6 months depends on the child’s age and body weight. Check with your child’s doctor before giving ibuprofen if your child is under 2 years of age or has a body weight less than 12 pounds (5.5 kilograms).
Ibuprofen Uses
Ibuprofen Uses
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This pharmaceutical drug is used to treat joint pain caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also used to relieve minor aches and pains such as menstrual pain, backache, muscle aches, headache, and dental pain, and to reduce fever.
There may be other uses of ibuprofen—your health system pharmacists or doctors can give you further drug information.
Ibuprofen Mechanism of Action
Ibuprofen blocks the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) and thereby blocks the body’s production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are natural substances that cause fever, pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation.
Ibuprofen Doses
Ibuprofen tablets are available as 100 mg and 200 mg tablets over-the-counter (OTC) and as 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg tablets by prescription. This medicine is also available as a 100 mg/5 mL oral suspension.
Over-the-Counter Ibuprofen Dosing
- The recommended dose of over-the-counter ibuprofen in adults and children over the age of 12 years is 200 mg to 400 mg every 4-6 hours. The maximum dose of OTC ibuprofen is 1,200 mg in 24 hours.
- The recommended dose of OTC ibuprofen in children 2-11 years old is 100 mg to 300 mg of the chewable tablet or 5 mL to 15 mL of the oral suspension every 6-8 hours. Children under 12 years old should not be given more than 4 doses of ibuprofen in a day.
Prescription Ibuprofen Dosing
- For mild to moderate pain, the recommended dose of prescription ibuprofen is 400 mg every 4-6 hours. The maximum dose of ibuprofen is 3,200 mg in 24 hours.
- For pain caused by arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), the recommended dose of prescription ibuprofen is 400 mg to 800 mg 3-4 times a day, with a maximum dose of 3,200 mg per day.
Ibuprofen Directions
How To Use Ibuprofen
Prescription ibuprofen comes in the form of a tablet to be taken by mouth 3-4 times a day for arthritis or every 4-6 hours as directed for pain. Nonprescription ibuprofen comes in the form of a tablet, chewable tablet, and oral suspension to be taken by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain or fever.
You should take ibuprofen with milk or food to reduce the risk of abdominal pain and upset stomach. Swallow the ibuprofen tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets.
If you are taking ibuprofen oral suspension, shake the bottle well before use. Measure the liquid medicine using a dose measuring device (cup or syringe) and not a household spoon.
Ibuprofen chewable tablets can cause a burning sensation in the mouth. Taking the chewable tablets with food or water can help reduce this.
If you are taking ibuprofen on a regular basis, take your medicine at around the same time every day.
Read the package label for OTC ibuprofen products carefully. Follow the instructions on your prescription label and use ibuprofen exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take a higher or lower dose of this medicine or take it more or less frequently than the package directions or what your doctor tells you.
Missed dose: If you are taking ibuprofen on a regular basis and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Storage: Store ibuprofen at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unused ibuprofen should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw ibuprofen in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded ibuprofen is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal.
NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on ibuprofen. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about ibuprofen, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice.
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Ibuprofen Side Effects
Ibuprofen Side Effects
Possible side effects of ibuprofen are listed below. Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or if they do not go away in a few days.
- Gastrointestinal side effects like gas, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, or constipation
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
Some of the adverse effects of ibuprofen can be more serious. Call your healthcare professional right away or seek emergency medical help if you experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hoarseness
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Swelling of the face, eyes, throat, arms, hands, abdomen, lower legs, ankles, or feet
- Unexplained weight gain (this may be due to fluid retention)
- Skin rash, itching, hives, blisters
- Fever, headache, confusion, slurred speech, stiff neck
- Extreme fatigue
- Nausea, right upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, pale skin, yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Fast heartbeat
- Back pain
- Bloody, cloudy, or discolored urine, pain with urination
- Vision changes, such as problems with color vision or blurred vision
- Pain or redness in the eyes
- Mental status changes like aggression
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of ibuprofen. Contact your healthcare provider if your side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ibuprofen Overdose: In case of an accidental or intentional overdose of ibuprofen, call your doctor immediately. You can also call the local poison control center or national poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Signs and symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose may include slowed breathing or stopping of breathing for short periods, fast eye movements, dizziness, and bluish discoloration around the lips and mouth.
Source: FDA
Ibuprofen Warnings
Ibuprofen Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Ibuprofen can cause serious side effects in certain people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at high risk of complications from ibuprofen use. Some of the risks of ibuprofen use include:
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Precautions Before Starting Ibuprofen
Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen, any of the active or inactive ingredients in ibuprofen tablets, chewable tablets, or oral suspension, any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Ibuprofen may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, nasal polyps, frequent stuffy or runny nose, heart failure, swelling of the legs or feet, lupus, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Ibuprofen can be harmful to the unborn baby if it is taken by a pregnant woman in the third trimester (after around 20 weeks of pregnancy).
If you are an older adult (age 75 years and above), talk to your healthcare provider about the safety of taking ibuprofen. Do not take ibuprofen at a higher dose or for longer than recommended by your doctor or the package label.
People with a condition called phenylketonuria should talk to their doctor about which ibuprofen products are safe for them to use. In this condition, high serum levels of a substance called phenylalanine can cause serious problems. Some brands of nonprescription (OTC) ibuprofen products like chewable tablets may contain phenylalanine. The regular ibuprofen tablets and liquid medicine don't contain phenylalanine, however. If you have phenylketonuria, talk to your healthcare provider about what ibuprofen products are safe for you.
Precautions During Use of Ibuprofen
Keep all your doctor’s appointments and lab appointments while taking ibuprofen.
Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen is present with other medications in many combination products, some of which are available by prescription and some without a prescription. If your doctor has prescribed ibuprofen, do not take other nonprescription pain medications that also contain ibuprofen. Check the label of all over-the-counter medicines, especially those used to treat cough or cold symptoms, as they may contain ibuprofen. Avoid using two or more products at the same time because they may contain the same active ingredient and could lead to an overdose. This is especially true for children younger than 6 years of age. When giving nonprescription ibuprofen products to children, follow the package directions carefully. Also, read the package label to ensure you are using an ibuprofen product that is suitable for children.
Tell all your doctors you are on ibuprofen before any surgery, including dental procedures.
Ibuprofen Drug Interactions
Certain other drugs can affect how ibuprofen works. Possible interactions between ibuprofen and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. The following medications can have possible interactions with ibuprofen:
- Medications used to treat high blood pressure such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for example, captopril, lisinopril (in Zestoretic), benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic), moexipril (Univasc), fosinopril, perindopril (Aceon, in Prestalia), ramipril (Altace), quinapril (Accupril, in Quinaretic), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) like eprosartan (Teveten), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), olmesartan (Benicar, in Benicar HCT, in Azor, in Tribenzor), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), valsartan (in Exforge HCT), and telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT, in Twynsta); and beta blockers like atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), labetalol (Trandate), propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran), and nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide)
- Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); aspirin; other NSAIDs such as ketoprofen and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); oral steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Rayos); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), and sertraline (Zoloft); or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), and venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
- Water pills (diuretics)
- Psychiatric medications like lithium (Lithobid)
- Cancer drugs like methotrexate (Rasuvo, Trexall, Otrexup)
The above list may not include all possible interactions of ibuprofen. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Ibuprofen Pros & Cons
Ibuprofen Pros and Cons
- Ibuprofen is effective in relieving pain, fever, and inflammation.
- It is available in a low-cost generic form.
- You can get ibuprofen over-the-counter (without a doctor’s prescription).
- It is available in various dosage forms like tablets, chewable tablets, and an oral suspension.
- Ibuprofen is less likely to cause an upset stomach compared to some other NSAIDs.
- Ibuprofen can lead to an increased risk of stomach bleeding and stomach ulcers.
- This medicine may not be safe for people with kidney disease or heart disease.
- Ibuprofen is not safe for use by pregnant women in the third trimester.
- Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen can increase the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Ibuprofen Pharmacist Tips
Ibuprofen Tips from Pharmacists
Upset stomach is a common side effect of ibuprofen. Taking ibuprofen with milk or food can help prevent upset stomach and other gastrointestinal side effects.
If you are taking liquid medicine (oral suspension), shake the bottle well before use. Use a dose measuring device (cup or syringe) to measure the dose of ibuprofen accurately.
Do not take nonprescription (over-the-counter) ibuprofen for more than 3 days to reduce fever or more than 10 days to treat mild to moderate pain. If your symptoms continue, talk to a healthcare professional.
If you have an allergy to aspirin, talk to your healthcare provider about the safety of taking ibuprofen. People with an aspirin allergy are at higher risk of having an allergic reaction to ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen Rx Savings Tips
Ibuprofen Rx Savings Tips
Ibuprofen is a generic medication and it is available at significantly lower prices than the brand name drugs. Brand names Advil, Motrin, Midol and others and generic ibuprofen contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medications, the generic drug offers better value. A BuzzRx ibuprofen coupon can result in big savings on the brand name and generic forms of the drug. With a BuzzRx discount card, savings card, or discount coupons, the medication could cost you a fraction of retail prices. Ibuprofen may be under $7 for 30 tablets of the 800 mg dose at Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, and other participating pharmacies with a BuzzRx discount card or free coupon. For the biggest discounts on ibuprofen, give the checkout clerk your BuzzRx ibuprofen discount coupon when you drop off your prescriptions or purchase ibuprofen over-the-counter.
Lowest Price for Ibuprofen | |
| Brand $10.12 | Generic $6.78 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Ibuprofen Common Questions
Common Questions about Ibuprofen
How many 400 mg ibuprofen can I take?You can take a maximum of 8 of the 400-mg tablets of ibuprofen in a day. The total dose of ibuprofen should not be more than 3,200 mg in 24 hours. The 400-mg dose of ibuprofen is available by prescription only. You can take it every 4-6 hours (3-4 times a day) as directed by your healthcare provider. |
Is it ok to take ibuprofen every day?You should not take ibuprofen every day unless your doctor prescribes it. You can take nonprescription (over-the-counter) ibuprofen for a few days to treat mild to moderate pain. Long-term use of ibuprofen can put you at risk of stomach bleeding and can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. |
Which is safer, Tylenol or ibuprofen?Both Tylenol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen are safe when used according to a doctor’s directions or the package directions for over-the-counter products. These medications can cause different side effects. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be hard on the liver. Ibuprofen can be hard on the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. |
Can I take 2 ibuprofen and 2 Tylenol together?You can take ibuprofen and Tylenol (acetaminophen) together but make sure you do not exceed the recommended dose for either medicine. |
How long does it take for ibuprofen to wear off?The effects of ibuprofen generally wear off in 4-6 hours. |
What is the price of ibuprofen without insurance?Without insurance, ibuprofen can be as high as $15.17, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $6.78 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of ibuprofen with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on ibuprofen—copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for ibuprofen. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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