This article describes possible interactions with ibuprofen oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Ibuprofen comes as a tablet and a liquid suspension that you swallow.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious heart and blood vessel problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
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Other drugs and ibuprofen
The drugs in the list below may interact with ibuprofen oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with ibuprofen.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with ibuprofen oral tablet include:
- angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- drug examples: benazepril (Lotensin), lisinopril (Zestril)
- what might happen: can make the ACE inhibitor less effective
- anticoagulants
- antiplatelets
- drug examples: clopidogrel (Plavix), ticagrelor (Brilinta)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and the antiplatelet
- loop and thiazide diuretics
- drug examples: furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
- what might happen: can make the loop or thiazide diuretic less effective; can increase the risk of kidney-related side effects
- other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- drug examples: aspirin, naproxen
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and the other NSAIDs (ibuprofen is an NSAID)
- potassium-sparing diuretics
- drug examples: eplerenone (Inspra), spironolactone (Aldactone)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and the potassium-sparing diuretic
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- drug examples: sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and the SSRI drug
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
- drug examples: desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and the SNRI drug
- bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and bismuth subsalicylate
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of cyclosporine
- desmopressin (DDAVP)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of ibuprofen and desmopressin, especially low blood levels of sodium (an essential electrolyte)
- digoxin (Digox, Lanoxin)
- lithium (Lithobid)
- what might happen: can increase the effect and risk of side effects of lithium
- methotrexate (Trexall)
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When to avoid ibuprofen
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with ibuprofen oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe ibuprofen. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for ibuprofen oral tablet:
- Recent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. You’re at higher risk of heart and blood vessel side effects from ibuprofen if you’ve recently had CABG surgery. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the end of this article.
- Past allergic reaction to ibuprofen. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen oral tablet, aspirin, or another NSAID, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking ibuprofen, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should use ibuprofen.
Health factors and ibuprofen
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with ibuprofen oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking ibuprofen, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether ibuprofen is right for you.
These precautions about health conditions or other factors that might interact with ibuprofen oral tablet include:
*To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the end of this article.
Alcohol and ibuprofen
Ibuprofen oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Ibuprofen interactions with alcohol are related to boxed warnings about the drug. Drinking alcohol while taking ibuprofen increases your risk for serious side effects. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning” section at the end of this article.
If you drink alcohol and have concerns about consuming it while taking ibuprofen oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
Other interactions and ibuprofen
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether ibuprofen oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen and food
There are no known interactions between ibuprofen and food. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking ibuprofen oral tablet.
Ibuprofen and supplements
Before taking ibuprofen oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Ibuprofen interactions with herbs
Ibuprofen oral tablet may interact with ginkgo biloba. People often use this herb to reduce inflammation and other health benefits.
Taking ibuprofen and using ginkgo biloba may increase your risk of bleeding as a side effect.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking gingko biloba while taking ibuprofen oral tablet.
Ibuprofen interactions with vitamins or minerals
Ibuprofen oral tablet may interact with potassium. Some people use this mineral to support a healthy potassium level in their system. (In addition to potassium supplements, multivitamins may also contain potassium.)
Taking ibuprofen and potassium supplements can raise the risk of high potassium blood levels as a side effect.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking potassium while taking ibuprofen oral tablet.
Ibuprofen and vaccines
Ibuprofen oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking ibuprofen oral tablet.
Ibuprofen and lab tests
Ibuprofen oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking ibuprofen oral tablet.
Ibuprofen and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with ibuprofen. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking ibuprofen and using cannabis or a cannabis product may lead to an increased risk of side effects from ibuprofen. This is due to cannabidiol (CBD) affecting how well your body breaks down ibuprofen after you take a dose.
Before you take ibuprofen, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Preventing ibuprofen interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with ibuprofen oral tablet. Before using this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking ibuprofen oral tablet.
Taking ibuprofen exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about ibuprofen and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does ibuprofen have similar interactions as other NSAIDs, such as nabumetone?
- Can I take ibuprofen even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- If I take ibuprofen and have certain health conditions, will I be monitored more closely during treatment?
- Does prescription-strength ibuprofen have different interactions compared with over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen?
Boxed warnings for ibuprofen
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of serious heart and blood vessel problems and serious digestive problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Serious heart and blood vessel problems
Taking a NSAID, such as ibuprofen, can raise your risk for serious heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems. Examples of these problems include heart attack and stroke. This risk increases with long-term use of ibuprofen. Certain other factors also increase your risk for serious cardiovascular side effects, including having existing heart disease. This includes having a heart attack or stroke in the past.
Due to this risk, doctors won’t prescribe ibuprofen if you’ve recently (within 10–14 days) had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number if you think you’re having a heart attack or stroke. Check out this article to learn more about warning signs of heart attack or stroke to watch for while you’re taking ibuprofen.
Serious digestive problems
Taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can raise your risk for serious digestive problems. These problems include bleeding, ulcers, and tears or holes in your stomach or intestines. Rarely, digestive side effects caused by ibuprofen can be life threatening. Your risk increases the longer you take ibuprofen, but digestive problems can happen at any time during treatment.
Other factors also increase the risk of serious digestive problems from ibuprofen, including:
- being age 65 years or older
- using tobacco
- drinking alcohol
- previously having an ulcer or bleeding in your digestive tract
Symptoms will vary depending on the specific digestive side effect and where it occurs. Some general signs to watch for include blood in your stool or vomit, dizziness, tiredness, and heartburn. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms indicative of a digestive problem. But if your symptoms feel severe or life threatening, don’t call your doctor. Call 911 or your local emergency number to get immediate medical help.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.
