Skip to main content
Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPAllison Gourley, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on October 20, 2023

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.

Common Side Effects

The following side effects were reported in up to 9% of people in clinical studies.

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Rash

Less Common Side Effects

Ibuprofen serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Stomach bleeding: vomiting blood, bloody or dark stools, severe stomach pain or discomfort
  • Heart attack: chest pain or tightness; pain that radiates up to your shoulder, arm, neck, or jaw
  • Heart failure: trouble breathing, swelling, sudden weight gain, fast heartbeat
  • Stroke: chest pain, trouble breathing, weakness in one part of your body or face, slurred speech
  • Kidney problems: tiredness, dry and itchy skin, low appetite, urinating less than usual, foamy or bloody urine, muscle cramps
  • Liver problems: swelling of your stomach, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, dark or brown urine
  • Allergic reaction or skin reaction: hives, rash, skin reddening, blisters, peeling skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
When do Ibuprofen possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Nausea
Heartburn
Stomach pain
Stomach ulcers / bleeding
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

More on Ibuprofen side effects

Woman with eyes closed and hand on forehead sitting on the couch with a blanket.
stefanamer/iStock via Getty Images
9 Advil Side Effects You Should Know About
Written by Sonia Amin Thomas, PharmD, BCOP

The following Ibuprofen side effects have also been reported

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

bloating

cloudy urine

decrease in amount of urine

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

diarrhea

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

excess air or gas in stomach or intestines

full feeling

heartburn

indigestion

itching skin

pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat

pale skin

passing gas

nausea

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

weight gain

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

chest pain

chills

clay-colored stools

coma

confusion

constipation

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decreased urine output

depression

difficulty breathing

difficulty swallowing

dilated neck veins

dizziness

dry mouth

extreme fatigue

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

fever with or without chills

frequent urination

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

itching

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

sore throat

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

wheezing

yellow eyes and skin

Symptoms of overdose

Bluish lips or skin

difficulty sleeping

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

dry eyes

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

runny nose

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sleeplessness

sneezing

stuffy nose

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.

Was this page helpful?

Latest articles