Ibuprofen

Description

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, which is used to relieve pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), muscle aches, headache, back pain, dental pain, etc. It is also used to treat mild-to-moderate fever. Do not take this medicine if you have any bleeding disorder or asthma or a known allergy to this medicine. This medicine is not recommended for use in children less than 6 months of age.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Ibuprofen

  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Constipation
  • Decreased urine output
  • Yellow colored eyes or skin
  • Skin rash
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears
  • Nervousness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Running Nose
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Impaired vision
  • Drowsiness
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Jaundice

Uses of Ibuprofen

What is it prescribed for?

  • Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Fever and Pain
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 to 6 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    This medicine should not be consumed with alcohol. Symptoms of stomach bleeding (such as the presence of dried and coffee colored blood in cough or stools) should be reported to the doctor immediately.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with known allergy to ibuprofen or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs.

Asthma

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with known conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, etc. due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG)

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who have undergone recent heart surgery, due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Bleeding disorder

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with the history of peptic ulcer disease or any bleeding disorders such as hemolytic anemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, cerebrovascular hemorrhage, hemophilia, hemorrhagic diathesis, hemorrhoids, etc. since it may worsen the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Gastro-intestinal bleeding

This medicine may cause severe gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation after prolonged usage. These adverse events may occur with or without warning symptoms. This risk is especially higher in the elderly population and in patients with a history of gastrointestinal diseases. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Impaired kidney function

This medicine is known to cause kidney injury. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary. The dose should be adjusted based on the CrCl (Creatinine Clearance). This medicine is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.

Impaired liver function

This medicine is known to cause liver injury. The baseline of liver enzymes should be obtained before starting the treatment. Inform the doctor if any signs of the increase in the liver enzymes appear.

Hypertension

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of hypertension due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of blood pressure is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Elderly population

This medicine should be used with caution in the elderly population above 65 years of age, due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. These patients should be started at lower doses to check for tolerance. Close monitoring of renal and liver function may be necessary for such patients based on the clinical condition.

Use in children

This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 6 months of age.

Hyperkalemia

This medicine may increase potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Close monitoring of potassium levels may be necessary for some patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Heart disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects on the heart, especially after prolonged use. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Missed Dose

The missed dose can be taken as soon as you remember. However, the missed dose should be skipped if it is almost time for the next dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Drinking alcohol with this medicine substantially increases the risks of stomach bleeding.

Instructions

This medicine should not be consumed with alcohol. Symptoms of stomach bleeding (such as the presence of dried and coffee colored blood in cough or stools) should be reported to the doctor immediately.
Interaction with Medicine

Methotrexate

Leflunomide

Corticosteroids

Aspirin

Adefovir

Antihypertensives

Ciprofloxacin

Anticoagulants

Ketorolac

Lithium

Disease interactions

Asthma

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of NSAID-induced asthma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be done under your doctor's supervision.

Fluid Retention and edema

This medicine may cause fluid retention and edema in some patients. Close monitoring of blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and heart function may be required based on the clinical condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Skin rash

This medicine may cause fatal skin allergies without any warnings in some patients. Signs and symptoms such as rashes, hives, fever, or other allergic symptoms should be reported to the doctor without any delay. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Anemia

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of anemia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Heart attack and Stroke

This medicine may cause a heart attack, stroke, or other associated symptoms after prolonged use. This risk is especially higher in patients with a history of heart diseases. Close monitoring of heart function is recommended for such patients. Report any symptoms such as chest pain, shallow breathing, speech slurring, weakness, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Gastro-Intestinal toxicity

This medicine may cause damage to the stomach, intestines, liver, etc., especially on prolonged use. Report any symptoms such as chronic indigestion, blood in stool or vomit, etc. to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Drink adequate amount of water to minimize the stomach irritation. Monitoring of kidney function is necessary.
Miscelleneous

To be taken after food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by inhibiting the actions of certain chemical substances in the body that cause pain and swelling.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, Propionic acid derivatives

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20509

Ibuprofen: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682159.html

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~FDOueX:1

[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 12 February 2019]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7352.pdf

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 12 February 2019]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/019842s020lbl.pdf

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 12 February 2019]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017463s105lbl.pdf

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Information on this page was last updated on 8 Jul 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.