Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that's used to temporarily relieve fever, pains, and aches in adults and children. In general, ibuprofen is taken by mouth every 4 to 8 hours, though the dosage depends on your age, weight, and other medical problems. Ibuprofen side effects include nausea, heartburn, and stomach pain, but taking it with food might help prevent these side effects. Ibuprofen is available over the counter and by prescription, depending on the strength you need.
Over-the-counter ibuprofen:
Prescription ibuprofen:
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or better known as an NSAID. It works by blocking proteins in your body called cyclooxygenase (COX)) that cause inflammation, swelling, and pain. By blocking these proteins, ibuprofen helps relieve inflammation, swelling, and pain.
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
The following side effects were reported in up to 9% of people in clinical studies.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Abdominal pain
acid or sour stomach
belching
cloudy urine
decrease in amount of urine
decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
full feeling
indigestion
itching skin
pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat
pale skin
passing gas
noisy, rattling breathing
rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
shortness of breath
swelling of face, fingers, hands, feet, lower legs, or ankles
troubled breathing at rest
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Abdominal cramps
stomach soreness or discomfort
Rare
Agitation
back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
blood in urine or stools
bloody, black, or tarry stools
blurred vision
burning feeling in chest or stomach
change in vision
chills
clay-colored stools
coma
confusion
cough or hoarseness
dark urine
decreased urine output
difficulty breathing
difficulty swallowing
dilated neck veins
dizziness
extreme fatigue
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
fever with or without chills
general body swelling
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
hair loss, thinning of hair
headache
hives or welts
hostility
impaired vision
increased blood pressure
increased volume of pale, dilute urine
irregular breathing
irritability
joint or muscle pain
lab results that show problems with liver
lethargy
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle twitching
nosebleeds
painful or difficult urination
pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pinpoint red spots on skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rash
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness of skin
seizures
severe abdominal pain, cramping, burning
severe and continuing nausea
sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
stiff neck or back
stomach upset
stupor
swollen or painful glands
tenderness in stomach area
thirst
tightness in chest
unpleasant breath odor
upper right abdominal pain
vomiting of blood
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds
yellow eyes and skin
Symptoms of overdose
Bluish lips or skin
disorientation
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
drowsiness to profound coma
hallucination
lightheadedness or fainting
mood or other mental changes
muscle tremors
not breathing
rapid, deep breathing
restlessness
slow or irregular heartbeat
stomach cramps
sudden fainting
sweating
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
hearing loss
nervousness
Rare
Crying
depersonalization
discouragement
dysphoria
euphoria
feeling sad or empty
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
mental depression
paranoia
quick to react or overreact
rapidly changing moods
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More tips for over-the-counter ibuprofen:
In general, how much ibuprofen you can take in a 24-hour period depends on your age and whether you're using the over-the-counter or prescription formulations. For people ages 12 years and older, the typical dose for over-the-counter ibuprofen is 200 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours, up to a maximum of 1,200 mg per day (6 pills). For prescription ibuprofen, the typical dose is 400 mg, 600 mg, or 800 mg by mouth 3 to 4 times per day, up to 3,200 mg per day. For children younger than 12 years old, the maximum amount of ibuprofen they can take per day depends on their age and weight and the formulation they're using. But they generally shouldn't take ibuprofen more than 4 times per day. Speak to your provider about your treatment options if you've reached the maximum amount of ibuprofen you can take and feel it isn't enough to relieve your symptoms.
It takes about 30 minutes for most of your ibuprofen dose to get absorbed into the blood. But it can take a few hours for you to feel relief from fever or minor pains. For long-term pain problems like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, it can take about 1 to 2 weeks to notice less inflammation. The effects of ibuprofen typically last for about 6 hours. Talk to your provider if you're concerned with how well ibuprofen is working for you.
Yes, it's generally considered safe to take ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) together. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) work a little differently to relieve pain and fever. Some providers might recommend to take both medications or alternate between the two medications if either one alone isn't working to relieve pain. Keep in mind that both medications have their own risks. Ibuprofen has heart risks and can cause kidney problems, whereas acetaminophen (Tylenol) has a risk for liver damage. Before using other pain medications with ibuprofen, speak with your healthcare provider to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
No, ibuprofen isn't classified as a blood thinner medication; it doesn't help prevent blood clots from forming. But NSAIDs like ibuprofen are known to raise the risk of bleeding, especially in people who are also taking blood thinners. Get medical help right away if you're feeling faint, vomiting blood, have bloody or dark stools, or have severe stomach pain or discomfort because you might be bleeding.
It's not completely clear whether ibuprofen is safe to take during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. But you should avoid ibuprofen after 20 weeks of pregnancy because it might cause developmental problems in your unborn baby or complications during delivery. Talk to your provider about safer alternatives for fever and pain during pregnancy. In general, providers tend to prefer acetaminophen (Tylenol) as a safe choice during pregnancy.
Yes, ibuprofen lowers both fever and swelling that's caused by a physical injury (e.g., sprained ankle). Ibuprofen works by blocking proteins in the body called COX that typically cause fever and inflammation (pain, redness, and swelling). It's important to note that ibuprofen doesn't help reduce swelling in the arms or legs due to fluid buildup in the body. In fact, this type of swelling can be a side effect of ibuprofen.
Yes, ibuprofen can raise your blood pressure if it's taken for a long time (e.g., a few weeks), but it doesn't seem like it does by much. Studies show that ibuprofen can raise your systolic blood pressure (SBP or the "top" number of your blood pressure reading) by an average of 5 mmHg. To be safe, it's best to ask your provider whether ibuprofen is safe for you if you have high blood pressure and you're taking blood pressure medications.
No, ibuprofen by itself doesn't typically cause sleepiness or drowsiness. But keep in mind that ibuprofen is sometimes found in products that also contain other medications that can cause sleepiness, such as Advil PM (ibuprofen / diphenhydramine). Ask your provider or pharmacist if you're not sure whether or not your ibuprofen product has other medications in it that might cause sleepiness.
Ibuprofen can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Ibuprofen can raise your risk for serious stomach problems, including bleeding and ulcers (sores). Stomach bleeding is a dangerous condition that requires treatment right away. Serious stomach problems can happen with or without warning or symptoms while you're taking ibuprofen. Your risk for stomach bleeds is even higher if you're taking ibuprofen also taking other medications that can put you at risk, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants).
Tell your providers and pharmacists about all of your medical conditions and medications before you start ibuprofen so they can talk with you about your risk for stomach bleeding. Seek medical help right away if you're feeling faint, vomiting blood, have bloody or dark stools, or have severe stomach pain or discomfort that doesn't go away while you're taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen can raise your risk of having blood clots, which sometimes lead to a heart attack or stroke. Talk to your healthcare provider before you take ibuprofen if you have heart problems. To lower your risk, try to take ibuprofen at the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time possible. Don't take ibuprofen if you've recently had or will be having heart surgery. Call 911 or get immediate help if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of your body, or trouble speaking or walking.
Ibuprofen can cause your body to hold onto extra fluid, which can raise your blood pressure or put you at risk for heart failure. Tell your provider if you have a history of heart problems or if you're taking blood pressure medications before you start taking ibuprofen to make sure it's safe for you. Contact your provider if you experience unexplained fainting, chest pain with physical activity, or irregular heartbeat while you're taking ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen can damage your kidneys by slowing down blood flow to the kidneys. Your risk is higher if you're of older age, have certain medical problems like diabetes, or take other medications that can cause kidney problems. Your provider might order lab tests to check your kidney health before and during long-term treatment with ibuprofen. Contact your provider if you develop any signs or symptoms of kidney failure, including changes in your need to urinate, tiredness, dry and itchy skin, low appetite, and muscle cramps. Your provider might suggest that you stop taking ibuprofen and switch to a safer medication.
Though rare, ibuprofen can cause serious liver problems that can lead to liver failure. Get medical attention right away if you notice swelling of your stomach; stomach pain; yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes; stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools); dark or brown urine; nausea, vomiting; or confusion. These can be signs of liver damage. Your provider can examine you for liver problems, and you might need to stop using the medication to prevent further liver damage.
Severe allergic reactions to ibuprofen are possible. These can include life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis. Tell your provider if you have an allergy to aspirin or other NSAIDs before you start taking ibuprofen. Seek medical attention right away if you notice hives, rash, swelling of the lips or tongue, or trouble breathing after you use ibuprofen.
Although rare, ibuprofen can also cause serious skin reactions. Stop using ibuprofen and get medical help right away if you notice changes in your skin such as rash, blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling.
Ibuprofen can cause harm to your unborn baby, especially if it's taken in the second half of pregnancy (after week 20). It can cause serious complications, such as heart or kidney problems in your unborn baby or problems during delivery. Speak to your provider about the risks and benefits of taking ibuprofen if you're pregnant before taking this medication. Ask whether there are safer alternatives.
The ibuprofen chewable tablets contain phenylalanine, a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame. If your child has a genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), taking the chewable tablets can be dangerous for them. Ask your child's provider or pharmacist which ibuprofen formulations are safer for your child.
Ibuprofen is available both over the counter (OTC) and by prescription. The dosage depends on the reason you’re using ibuprofen, the specific ibuprofen strength and formulation you're using, and your age and weight (for children).
Follow the instructions on the package labeling or your provider’s directions. In general:
Over-the-counter ibuprofen
Ibuprofen 200 mg capsule and tablet:
Children's ibuprofen 100 mg/5 mL oral suspension:
Infant's ibuprofen 50 mg/1.25 mL liquid drops:
Prescription ibuprofen (adults only)
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ibuprofen will not be safe for you to take.