What is ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions
such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury.
Ibuprofen may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen?
Taking an NSAID can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems,
including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use an NSAID. Do not use this
medicine just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or
CABG).
NSAIDs can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including
bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal effects
can occur without warning at any time while you are taking an NSAID. Older adults may have an even
greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Before taking ibuprofen, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
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heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
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a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
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asthma;
-
polyps in your nose; or
-
liver or kidney disease,
-
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE);
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder; or
-
if you smoke.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take ibuprofen.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ibuprofen is harmful to an unborn
baby.
However, taking ibuprofen during the last 3 months of pregnancy may result in
birth defects.
Do not take ibuprofen during pregnancy unless your doctor has told you to.
It is not known whether ibuprofen passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take ibuprofen?
Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your
doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of ibuprofen can
cause damage to your stomach or intestines. The maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800
milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses). Use only the smallest amount of
ibuprofen needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever.
Take ibuprofen with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get
the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
The ibuprofen chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.
If you take ibuprofen for a long period of time, your doctor may want to check you on a regular
basis to make sure this medication is not causing harmful effects. Do not miss any scheduled visits to
your doctor.
Store ibuprofen at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid
medicine to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of ibuprofen?
Since ibuprofen is sometimes taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you
are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time
for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ibuprofen?
Your pharmacist has information about ibuprofen written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ibuprofen?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking ibuprofen and seek medical attention or call your doctor at once if you have
any of these serious side effects:
-
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems
with vision or balance;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
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swelling or rapid weight gain;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash;
-
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
or
-
fever, headache, neck stiffness, chills, increased sensitivity
to light, purple spots on the skin, and/or seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
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upset stomach, mild heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;
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bloating, gas;
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dizziness, headache, nervousness;
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skin itching or rash;
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blurred vision; or
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ringing in your ears.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ibuprofen?
This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including
heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use ibuprofen. Do not use this medicine
just before or after having heart bypass surgery (also called coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
This medicine can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines,
including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and gastrointestinal
effects can occur without warning at any time while you are taking ibuprofen. Older adults may have an
even greater risk of these serious gastrointestinal side effects.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This
includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An overdose of ibuprofen can
cause damage to your stomach or intestines. The maximum amount of ibuprofen for adults is 800
milligrams per dose or 3200 mg per day (4 maximum doses). Use only the smallest amount of
ibuprofen needed to get relief from your pain, swelling, or fever.
Avoid taking ibuprofen if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack.
Ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use
both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin
(non-enteric coated form).
Do not drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. Alcohol can increase your risk of stomach
bleeding caused by ibuprofen.
What should I avoid while taking ibuprofen?
Avoid taking ibuprofen if you are taking aspirin to prevent stroke or heart attack.
Ibuprofen can make aspirin less effective in protecting your heart and blood vessels. If you must use
both medications, take the ibuprofen at least 8 hours before or 30 minutes after you take the aspirin
(non-enteric coated form).
Do not use any other over-the-counter cold, allergy, or pain medication without first asking
your doctor or pharmacist. Many medicines available over the counter contain aspirin or other
medicines similar to ibuprofen (such as ketoprofen or naproxen). If you take certain products together
you may accidentally take too much of this type of medication. Read the label of any other medicine
you are using to see if it contains aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen.
Do not drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. Alcohol can increase the risk of stomach
bleeding caused by ibuprofen.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Ibuprofen can
make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15)
and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
What other drugs will affect ibuprofen?
Tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine
(Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox),
paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor). Taking any of these drugs with
ibuprofen may cause you to bruise or bleed easily.
Before taking ibuprofen, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
such as diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin),
ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic),
nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others;
-
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik);
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
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diuretics (water pills) such as furosemide (Lasix);
-
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
-
steroids (prednisone and others); or
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
ibuprofen. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ibuprofen?
