All About Ibuprofen Oral Tablet
If you’re looking at treatment options to relieve pain, your doctor may suggest ibuprofen for you. It’s a generic medication that’s used to treat mild to moderate pain, such as from:
- surgery or an injury
- headache
- muscle strain
Ibuprofen is also used to relieve symptoms in the following conditions:
- rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune joint disease)
- osteoarthritis (joint disease from wear-and-tear)
- primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods)
Ibuprofen basics
Ibuprofen comes as a tablet that you swallow. It also comes in other forms taken by mouth, but those are not covered in this article.
Ibuprofen tablets are available over the counter (which means you don’t need a prescription) in a strength of 200 milligrams (mg). Higher strengths of ibuprofen (400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg) are available only with a prescription from your doctor. This article focuses on prescription strengths of ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen is a kind of medication called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Ibuprofen brand-name versions
Ibuprofen is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medication that ibuprofen is based on is called Advil.
Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name drug they’re based on. In general, generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs do.
If you’d like to know more about using Advil instead of ibuprofen, talk with your doctor. And explore this Austra Health article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of ibuprofen that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes or recommends.
Form and strengths
Prescription ibuprofen comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s available in three strengths:
- 400 milligrams (mg)
- 600 mg
- 800 mg
Recommended dosages
The table below includes the recommended ibuprofen dosages based on the condition you’re using it for. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you based on how severe your symptoms are.
| Ibuprofen use | Recommended dosing schedule |
| rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis | three or four times per day |
| primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods) | every 4 hours, as needed |
| mild to moderate pain from other causes | every 4 to 6 hours, as needed |
The maximum dose of ibuprofen is 3,200 mg per day.
Ibuprofen’s dosage in children
Prescription ibuprofen tablets are not approved for use in children. To learn more about other forms of ibuprofen, such as those approved for use in an infant or child, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Questions about ibuprofen’s dosage
Below are some common questions about ibuprofen’s dosage.
- What if I miss a dose of ibuprofen? If you’re taking ibuprofen as needed, you’ll only take a dose when you have pain. If you’re using ibuprofen on a schedule for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose of ibuprofen at its regular time. You should not take more than one dose of ibuprofen at a time.
- Will I need to use ibuprofen long term? Doctors usually prescribe ibuprofen as a short-term treatment, or as a treatment you only take as needed when you have symptoms. But the drug may be used long term to treat rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Your doctor can provide more information on how long you’ll take ibuprofen.
- How long does ibuprofen take to work? Ibuprofen begins working shortly after you take a dose. If the drug works for you, you should have pain relief within 1 to 2 hours after taking your dose.
Like most drugs, ibuprofen may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that ibuprofen may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of ibuprofen. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.
Mild side effects
Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that ibuprofen can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read ibuprofen’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of ibuprofen that have been reported include:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea or constipation
- heartburn
- indigestion (upset stomach)
- epigastric pain (pain felt just below your ribs)
- bloating and flatulence (gas)
- headache
- dizziness
- skin rash
- tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- decreased appetite
- mild allergic reaction*
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from ibuprofen can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from ibuprofen, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of ibuprofen that have been reported include:
- anemia (low level of red blood cells)
- aseptic meningitis (swelling of the brain and spinal cord lining)
- kidney damage, especially when used long term
- liver problems, including hepatitis and liver failure
- vision problems, including:
- blurry vision
- diminished vision
- changes in color vision
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
- toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- risk of gastrointestinal (digestive) problems, including bleeding, ulcers, and perforation (tears) in the stomach and intestines
- risk of problems related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) blood clots, including heart attack and stroke
* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking ibuprofen?” section.
† To learn more about allergic reaction and ibuprofen, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are both used for treating mild to moderate pain. But they work in different ways. This means that in some cases, your doctor may prefer one drug or may recommend taking both drugs together.
Unlike acetaminophen, ibuprofen decreases inflammation (swelling and damage). This makes ibuprofen useful for treating certain conditions that are caused by inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen have some different side effects. For example, ibuprofen is more likely to irritate your stomach.
To learn more about how ibuprofen compares with acetaminophen, see this article.
Ibuprofen and naproxen (Aleve) are similar drugs. They’re both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that treat pain and inflammation (swelling or damage). These drugs share some common side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and heartburn.
Both ibuprofen and naproxen come as tablets, as a liquid suspension (a kind of liquid mixture), and as liquid gel-filled capsules. (All of these forms are swallowed.) Ibuprofen is also available as chewable tablets.
To learn more how ibuprofen and naproxen compare, see this article.
- relieve pain
- decrease inflammation (swelling or damage)
- reduce fever*
For these uses, taking ibuprofen or aspirin is usually a matter of personal choice. But in some cases, your doctor may prefer one drug over the other. For example, ibuprofen may be preferred for the long-term treatment of certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Unlike ibuprofen, aspirin can be used as a blood thinner to help prevent blood clots.
For more details about how ibuprofen and aspirin compare, see this article.
* Over-the-counter ibuprofen can be used for treating fever. This article focuses on prescription ibuprofen and its uses.
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about ibuprofen.
Is ibuprofen a blood thinner?
No, ibuprofen isn’t a blood thinner.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs prevent your body from making certain substances called prostaglandins.
Prostaglandins can cause inflammation (swelling and damage) and pain. When ibuprofen decreases the amount of prostaglandins in your body, it treats your inflammation and pain.
Prostaglandins also help your body form blood clots. While taking ibuprofen, you may notice that cuts bleed for a little longer than usual, but a clot will still form. Ibuprofen isn’t considered a blood thinner such as warfarin (Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis), or aspirin.
Combining ibuprofen and a blood thinner could raise your risk of bleeding. To learn more, see the “What should be considered before taking ibuprofen?” section below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does ibuprofen come in a 200-mg tablet?
Yes, ibuprofen is available as a 200-milligram (mg) tablet. This strength of ibuprofen is available over the counter (which means you don’t need a prescription).
This article focuses on prescription strengths of ibuprofen. To learn more about over-the-counter uses and strengths of ibuprofen, talk with your pharmacist or doctor.
Can I take ibuprofen with tramadol?
Yes, you can take ibuprofen with tramadol if your doctor says it’s safe for you to do so. There’s no known interaction between ibuprofen and tramadol. (See the “What should be considered before taking ibuprofen?” section below to learn more about ibuprofen’s interactions.)
Tramadol is a prescription opioid medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. And ibuprofen is an NSAID used to treat mild to moderate pain. These drugs may be used together for treating pain. For example, your doctor may suggest using an extended-release* tramadol tablet once per day along with ibuprofen as needed for breakthrough pain.
* “Extended release” means the drug slowly releases the active ingredient over a long period of time. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
There are important considerations to discuss with your doctor before you begin taking ibuprofen. This includes your complete medical history and any medications you take. Your doctor will want to check for any possible interactions with ibuprofen before prescribing the drug to you.
Interactions
Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.
Before taking ibuprofen, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take (including prescription and over-the-counter types). Also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may have with ibuprofen.
For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Other warnings” section below.
Interactions with drugs or supplements
Ibuprofen can interact with several kinds of drugs, including:
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Qbrelis, Zestril)
- diuretics (water pills), such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) and furosemide (Lasix)
- lithium (Lithobid)
- methotrexate (Rasuvo, Otrexup, others)
- blood thinners, such as warfarin (Jantoven) and aspirin
This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with ibuprofen. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of ibuprofen.
Boxed warnings
Ibuprofen has boxed warnings about the risk of serious gastrointestinal (digestive) problems and problems related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) blood clots. These are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Boxed warnings include:
Risk of serious gastrointestinal (digestive) problems. Taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, increases your risk of serious gastrointestinal problems. Examples include bleeding, ulcers, and perforations (tears) in your stomach or intestines. In rare cases, these problems can be fatal.
Gastrointestinal problems caused by ibuprofen may occur without symptoms, but usually people will experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- bloody vomit or blood in stools
- feeling dizzy or tired
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- belly pain or cramping
- feeling full or bloated
- heartburn
- nausea
While taking ibuprofen, gastrointestinal problems may happen at any time. But your risk increases the longer you take the medication. You also have a higher risk for gastrointestinal problems from using ibuprofen if you:
- are age 65 years or older
- have had an ulcer or bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract before
- use tobacco
- drink alcohol
- use certain other medications, including:
- corticosteroids such as prednisone
- blood thinners such as warfarin and aspirin
Due to these risks, your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective ibuprofen dose for the shortest time needed to treat your symptoms.
Contact your doctor right away if you think you have symptoms of a gastrointestinal problem as described above while taking ibuprofen. Your doctor will likely recommend that you immediately stop taking ibuprofen and schedule an appointment to review your symptoms in person. But if your symptoms seem serious or life threatening, seek emergency medical care.
Risk of problems related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) blood clots. Taking an NSAID such as ibuprofen increases your risk of problems related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) blood clots, including heart attack and stroke. In rare cases, these problems can be fatal. It’s important to be aware of the warning signs for heart attacks and strokes.
Some early symptoms of a heart attack are:
- chest pain or discomfort
- pain in your arm, shoulder, or neck
- shortness of breath
- nausea
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- sweating
Some early symptoms of a stroke are:
- numbness or weakness in your arm, face, or leg, especially on one side of your body
- trouble speaking or understanding others
- feeling confused or disoriented
- vision problems, such as trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
- paralysis
A heart attack or stroke may happen at any time you’re taking ibuprofen. But your risk increases the longer you take the medication.
You also have a higher risk for problems related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) blood clots while using ibuprofen if you:
- have heart disease
- have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or tobacco use
- have recently had a heart attack
You also have a higher risk of if you have recently had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Doctors will not prescribe ibuprofen for at least 14 days after your CABG procedure.
Due to these risks, your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective ibuprofen dose for the shortest time needed to treat your symptoms.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number
- Do not drive yourself to the hospital. You may lose consciousness (pass out).
- Wait for the paramedics to arrive. They can begin lifesaving treatment.
Other warnings
Ibuprofen can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether ibuprofen is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take ibuprofen. Factors to consider include those described below.
Asthma. Some people with asthma have aspirin-sensitive asthma. With this type of asthma, you experience severe asthma symptoms (such as trouble breathing and wheezing) after taking aspirin. If you experience asthma symptoms after taking aspirin, ibuprofen may also cause this reaction.
Due to this risk, your doctor usually will not prescribe ibuprofen for you. Talk with your doctor if you’re unsure whether your asthma is aspirin sensitive.
Heart failure. Taking an NSAID, including ibuprofen, can worsen heart failure. Certain drugs used to treat heart failure, such as diuretics, may become less effective when used with an NSAID. Your doctor will likely avoid prescribing ibuprofen if you have heart failure.
High blood pressure. NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can worsen high blood pressure. People with high blood pressure already have a higher risk of a problem related to cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) blood clots such as a heart attack or stroke. Taking ibuprofen increases this risk even more.
If you have high blood pressure and your doctor prescribes ibuprofen for you, they’ll likely monitor your blood pressure during your treatment.
Kidney problems. If you have a kidney problem, such as chronic kidney disease, taking ibuprofen may worsen your condition. Depending on how severe your kidney problem is, your doctor may recommend other treatments rather than prescribe ibuprofen.
Liver problems. Ibuprofen can cause liver problems, including hepatitis and liver failure. If you already have a liver condition (such as cirrhosis or alcohol-related liver disease) you may have a higher risk of kidney damage from ibuprofen. Your doctor can determine whether ibuprofen is safe for you to take based on your condition.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe ibuprofen. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.
Ibuprofen and alcohol
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking ibuprofen. If you’re taking ibuprofen, drinking alcohol increases the risk of having severe gastrointestinal (digestive) side effects, including bleeding and ulcers.
Ibuprofen has a boxed warning for these side effects. (Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the FDA about drug effects that may be dangerous.) So, combining alcohol with ibuprofen can raise your risk of having these side effects.
If you have other questions about the risks of drinking alcohol while taking ibuprofen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ibuprofen and pregnancy
Whether it’s safe to use ibuprofen during pregnancy varies depending on the stage of your pregnancy:
- The safety of using ibuprofen before week 20 of pregnancy isn’t known. If you and your doctor agree the benefits outweigh the risks, your doctor may prescribe the drug during this period.
- Taking ibuprofen from weeks 20 to 30 can cause low fluid levels in your womb. It may also cause kidney problems in the newborn. Your doctor may still prescribe ibuprofen short term if you both agree the benefits outweigh the risks.
- You should not take ibuprofen after week 30 of pregnancy. Taking ibuprofen at this stage can cause severe problems, including pregnancy loss, heart failure in the newborn, or death of the newborn shortly after birth.
If you have other questions about using ibuprofen during pregnancy, talk with your doctor.
Ibuprofen and breastfeeding
It isn’t known whether it’s safe to use ibuprofen while breastfeeding. The drug’s manufacturer advises against taking ibuprofen while breastfeeding.
If you have other questions about using ibuprofen and breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.
Ibuprofen is used to treat mild to moderate pain in adults, including pain caused by:
- muscle strains
- surgery
- headaches, including migraine episodes
Ibuprofen is also used to treat inflammation (swelling and damage), pain, and stiffness in the following joint conditions:
- rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune joint disease)
- osteoarthritis (joint disease from wear-and-tear)
In addition, ibuprofen is used to treat primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual periods).
How ibuprofen works
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs block the creation of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that your body naturally makes.
Some effects of prostaglandins include:
- increased pain sensitivity
- inflammation (swelling and damage)
- contraction of the uterus, which can cause menstrual cramps
- fever*
By blocking the creation of prostaglandins, ibuprofen decreases pain, inflammation, and fever*.
* Over-the-counter ibuprofen can be used for treating fever. This article focuses on prescription ibuprofen and its uses.
Do not take more ibuprofen than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- dizziness
- involuntary, rapid eye movements
- slowed breathing
- bluish skin discoloration
What to do in case you take too much ibuprofen
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much ibuprofen. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
Your doctor will explain how you should take ibuprofen. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.
Taking ibuprofen
Prescription ibuprofen comes as a tablet that you swallow.
Accessible medication containers and labels
If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put ibuprofen in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Questions about taking ibuprofen
Below are some common questions about taking ibuprofen.
- Can ibuprofen be chewed, crushed, or split? You should not chew or split ibuprofen tablets. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having trouble swallowing ibuprofen tablets. There are other forms of the drug available that may be easier for you to take, such as a liquid suspension (a kind of liquid mixture).
- Should I take ibuprofen with food or on an empty stomach? You may take ibuprofen doses with or without food. Taking ibuprofen with or after a meal may slow down how quickly your body absorbs the medication. This may delay how quickly it works to treat symptoms, but it shouldn’t affect how well the drug works. On the other hand, if you’re having digestive side effects from ibuprofen, taking your doses with food or a glass of milk may relieve or prevent these symptoms.
- Is there a best time of day to take ibuprofen? There’s no best time of day to take ibuprofen. Prescription ibuprofen may be taken as needed, or your doctor may tell you a specific number of doses to take each day. If you take more than one dose per day, be sure to space out doses according to your doctor’s instructions.
Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.
Financial assistance to help you pay for ibuprofen may be available. Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of ibuprofen.
These websites also offer tools to help you find low-cost healthcare and certain educational resources. To learn more, visit their websites.
If you have questions about taking ibuprofen, talk with your doctor before you start treatment. Ask questions to help you feel comfortable with your treatment choices. Some examples to get you started include:
- How does ibuprofen compare with other treatments for mild to moderate pain?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects from ibuprofen because of my health history?
- If I’m taking ibuprofen, can I also safely use acetaminophen (Tylenol)?
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Austra Health’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
Disclaimer: Austra Health has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.