Ibuprofen

💊 What is Ibuprofen used for?

• •Relief of signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
• •Relief of mild to moderate pain
• •Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods)

How it works

The label notes that ibuprofen's effects are linked to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, which are substances in the body involved in pain and inflammation.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time that fits your treatment goals.
• •The dose and how often you take it are set by your prescriber, and may be adjusted after you respond to the first treatment.
• •If the medicine upsets your stomach, the label says to take it with meals or milk.
• •Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Comes as

• •300 mg tablets
• •400 mg tablets
• •600 mg tablets
• •800 mg tablets
• •The supply described in the label is film-coated tablets in a bottle.

⚠️ Ibuprofen side effects

🛑 Who should not take Ibuprofen, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to ibuprofen.
• 🚨You have had asthma, hives (urticaria), or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. The label says severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions have been reported in such patients.
• 🚨You are in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, where the label says it is contraindicated.
• 🚨You are pregnant and in late pregnancy, which the label says to avoid starting at about 30 weeks.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Read the NSAID Medication Guide that comes with each prescription.
• •The label says blood pressure should be watched closely when starting an NSAID, because NSAIDs can raise blood pressure or worsen existing high blood pressure.
• •The label notes that patients with heart disease or risk factors for it have a higher chance of serious heart events.
• •The label says ibuprofen should be avoided in patients with a recent heart attack unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risks.
• •Tell your prescriber about any history of asthma, hives, or allergic-type reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs.
• •The label says controlled trials in children have not been conducted.

🔀 Ibuprofen with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •ACE inhibitors: the label says NSAIDs may reduce the blood-pressure-lowering effect of ACE inhibitors.
• •Aspirin: ibuprofen can interfere with the antiplatelet effect of aspirin, and the label says taking it with aspirin is generally not recommended because of the potential for more side effects. If you take low-dose aspirin for heart protection, the label says your prescriber may consider a different pain reliever.
• •Diuretics: the label says ibuprofen can reduce the effect of furosemide and thiazide diuretics, and patients should be watched for signs of kidney problems.
• •Lithium: the label says ibuprofen can raise lithium levels in the blood.
• •The label excerpt provided is incomplete. Ask your pharmacist for a full list of medicines that may interact with ibuprofen.

Alcohol and food

The label does not mention alcohol. It says that if the medicine causes stomach upset, it should be taken with meals or milk.

🤰 Ibuprofen in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can cause early closing of the baby's ductus arteriosus and kidney problems that can lead to low amniotic fluid. The label says to limit dose and duration between about 20 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, and to avoid use at about 30 weeks and later. If treatment is needed between about 20 and 30 weeks, the pregnant woman may need to be monitored for low amniotic fluid if treatment lasts longer than 48 hours.

Breastfeeding

The label says it is not known whether this drug passes into human milk. It notes that a decision should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the drug, considering how important the drug is to the mother.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

The label excerpt does not include storage temperatures. Check the medicine bottle label or ask your pharmacist.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label describes a 19-month-old child who swallowed 7 to 10 ibuprofen 400 mg tablets. The child arrived at the hospital emergency room unresponsive except to painful stimuli, needed oxygen and fluids, and was admitted to intensive care. The label excerpt does not give a full treatment plan. In an emergency, seek medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Ibuprofen

• Why was ibuprofen chosen for my condition, and how long should I take it?
• What is the lowest effective dose and schedule that my treatment requires?
• Should I take ibuprofen with food or milk, and what should I do if my stomach gets upset?
• Do my heart, blood pressure, or kidney health affect whether ibuprofen is safe for me to use?
• Am I taking any medicines, such as aspirin, a diuretic, lithium, or a blood pressure medicine, that may interact with ibuprofen?
• What warning signs should I watch for, and when should I call you or seek emergency care?
• If I am pregnant or planning a pregnancy, what does this medicine mean for me?

❓ Ibuprofen: frequently asked questions