Ibuprofen, Ibu

Medically reviewed by Purva Singla, PharmD on April 8, 2023
Written by Jennifer Mitri Williamson, PharmD

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ibuprofen oral tablets to treat:

• symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
• mild to moderate pain
• symptoms of menstrual cramps
• fever

This article describes ibuprofen oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for ibuprofen.

Boxed warnings

Ibuprofen has boxed warnings about the risks of serious heart-related events and serious digestive problems. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Warnings for ibuprofen” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about ibuprofen oral tablet.

How does ibuprofen compare with other similar drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)?

Ibuprofen is used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation (swelling and damage). It’s available over the counter (OTC). There are also other OTC medications used to relieve pain or reduce inflammation. Examples of these drugs may include:

• naproxen (Aleve)
• aspirin
• acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Both naproxen and aspirin are also nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs work in the same way that ibuprofen works to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. But how often you take these medications and the dose that you take of these drugs is different than the dosing of ibuprofen. Also, some people may experience different side effects from ibuprofen compared with aspirin or naproxen.

Acetaminophen is also an OTC that can be used for pain. However, acetaminophen is not an NSAID and works in a different way to manage pain. Because of this, the drug has different side effects and is dosed differently than ibuprofen. In some cases, acetaminophen may even be taken along with ibuprofen.

In addition, there are prescription medications that are used to treat pain. Examples of these drugs may include meloxicam (Mobic), celecoxib (Celebrex) or oxycodone (Roxicodone). Your doctor can recommend the best treatment option for you if you’re experiencing pain that’s severe or bothersome to you.

Is ibuprofen a blood thinner? How does the drug work?

No, ibuprofen is not a blood thinner. It’s not approved to be used as a blood thinner. However, ibuprofen may affect the way that your blood clots. So if you currently take a blood thinner, talk with your doctor before taking ibuprofen. They can help determine if ibuprofen may be safe for you to take.

It’s not known for sure how ibuprofen works. It’s thought to work by blocking prostaglandins, which are chemicals your body produces. Prostaglandins work to cause pain, swelling, and fever. By blocking prostaglandin production, ibuprofen can reduce pain, swelling, and fever.

Ibuprofen begins to work as soon as you take your dose of medication. You may notice the most benefit from ibuprofen about 1 to 2 hours after taking your dose, when you have the highest amount of medication in your body.

If you have more questions about the uses of ibuprofen and how the drug works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can ibuprofen be taken with tramadol, prednisone, or diphenhydramine (Benadryl)?

Yes, in most cases it is safe to take ibuprofen along with tramadol, prednisone, or diphenhydramine (Benadryl). But it’s always important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medications that you’re taking. They can help make sure it’s safe for you to take ibuprofen along with your other medications.

Does ibuprofen help with fever?

Yes, ibuprofen can help with fever. The drug is believed to work by blocking prostaglandins, which are chemicals your body produces. Prostaglandins can cause fever to occur. By blocking prostaglandin production, ibuprofen can help reduce a fever.

If you have a fever, talk with your doctor about what may be causing it and the best treatment options for you.

Is there a best time of day to take ibuprofen? What should I do if I miss a dose?

Typically, your doctor or pharmacist will recommend taking ibuprofen when you’re feeling pain or you notice swelling or a fever. So there’s not a specific time of day that’s considered the best time to take the drug.

However, it’s usually recommended to take ibuprofen with food. This can help decrease the risk of an upset stomach or more serious gastrointestinal side effects that may occur from the medication.

If you miss a dose of ibuprofen, you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist about when to take your next dose. In most cases, they’ll recommend taking your dose of ibuprofen as soon as you remember. After you take your missed dose, they’ll likely have you wait the usual amount of time between doses. For example, if you take ibuprofen every 4 hours, you should make sure there’s at least that much time in between doses.

If you have more questions about the dosing of ibuprofen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Can ibuprofen tablets be crushed, split, or chewed?

The manufacturer of ibuprofen doesn’t say whether the tablets can be crushed, split, or chewed. It’s recommended to swallow them whole. If you’re having trouble swallowing ibuprofen tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ibuprofen is also available in other forms, including an oral syrup and chewable tablet. It may be easier for you to use these forms of the medication if you’re having trouble swallowing ibuprofen tablets. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend the best treatment option for you in this case.

The dosage of ibuprofen oral tablet your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking ibuprofen

Ibuprofen oral tablet is taken by mouth.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take ibuprofen oral tablet. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Ibuprofen oral tablet should be taken with food.

See the “Common questions about ibuprofen” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.

Overdose of ibuprofen

You should not take more ibuprofen than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much ibuprofen, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Ibuprofen may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of ibuprofen oral tablet and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age and overall health and any other medications you take.

To learn more about ibuprofen oral tablet’s side effects, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for ibuprofen oral tablet.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with ibuprofen oral tablet are listed below.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Ibuprofen oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
• belly pain or cramping
• heartburn or bloating
• dizziness
• headache
• skin rash or itchiness
• ringing in the ears
• decreased appetite
• swelling of the arms or legs
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for ibuprofen” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of ibuprofen oral tablet are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Ibuprofen oral tablet’s serious side effects include:

• high blood pressure
• kidney problems
• heart failure (inability of the heart to pump enough blood to the rest of the body)
• liver problems
• low red blood cell levels
• serious skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• boxed warning: risk of serious heart-related events and serious digestive problems*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for ibuprofen” section below.

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take ibuprofen, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with ibuprofen. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• OTC medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for ibuprofen” section below.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as ibuprofen for certain conditions. Approved uses for ibuprofen oral tablet are described below.

Use for pain and inflammation

Doctors may prescribe ibuprofen oral tablet for treating pain or inflammation (swelling and damage). It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Ibuprofen can be used in adults and certain children. In most cases, ibuprofen tablets can be used in children 12 years and older. Other forms of ibuprofen may be better for younger children. Be sure to talk with your child’s doctor before giving your child ibuprofen.

Specifically, ibuprofen oral tablets can be used to treat:

• symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, such as pain or swelling
• mild to moderate pain, such as headaches or toothaches
• symptoms of menstrual cramps, such as pain
• fever

With pain or inflammation, you may notice redness or discoloration, swelling, or trouble moving the affected area. In addition, you may notice that the area is warm or hot to the touch.

Information about ibuprofen and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Ibuprofen and pregnancy

It’s not known whether ibuprofen oral tablet can be taken before week 20 of pregnancy. The drug usually is not recommended after week 20 of pregnancy.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether ibuprofen oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Ibuprofen should be taken cautiously by certain people. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.

Boxed warnings

Ibuprofen has boxed warnings about the risk of serious heart-related events and digestive problems. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To learn more about these warnings read below. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Risk of serious heart-related events. Heart-related side effects can occur from this medication. With heart-related side effects, you may be at a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke occurring. In some cases, this side effect can be life threatening. This side effect was rarely reported in studies of ibuprofen oral tablet.

Symptoms of a heart-related event may include:

• chest pain
• numbness on one side of the body
• trouble breathing
• heart palpitations (feeling like your heart skips a beat or has an extra beat)
• trouble walking

You may be at a higher risk of serious heart-related side effects if you’re taking a higher dose of ibuprofen or if you’ve been taking ibuprofen for a long time.

It’s important to tell your doctor if you need to have or have recently had a surgery called a coronary artery bypass graft. Also, tell your doctor if you have any heart conditions, if you have a history of heart attack or stroke, or if you have high blood pressure. They can help determine if ibuprofen may be a safe option for you.

If you have concerns about developing a heart-related event, talk with your doctor. If you develop any of the above symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number right away.

Risk of serious digestive problems. Ibuprofen may cause digestive problems. With digestive problems, you may have a higher risk of developing bleeding, ulcers, or tears in your throat, stomach, or intestines. Serious digestive problems were rarely reported in studies of ibuprofen oral tablet.

Symptoms of digestive problems may include:

• vomiting, which may contain blood
• blood in your bowel movements, which may look like dark, tarry stools
• burning pain in your stomach
• heartburn

You may be at an increased risk of digestive problems if you have a history of these problems after taking an NSAID, or if you’re taking another drug that can increase your risk of digestive problems. If you’re taking a higher dose of ibuprofen or if you take the drug for a long period of time, you may also be at increased risk of this side effect.

People who smoke, drink alcohol, are of older age, or certain people with liver disease or bleeding problems may also be at a higher risk of developing digestive problems. If you have any of these conditions, be sure to talk with your doctor before taking ibuprofen.

If you have concerns about digestive side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor.

Other warnings

Ibuprofen could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether ibuprofen oral tablet is a safe option for you.

Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you take ibuprofen oral tablet. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:

• allergic reaction
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• asthma
• pregnancy or breastfeeding

Allergic reaction

Ibuprofen can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take ibuprofen. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to ibuprofen, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for ibuprofen oral tablet by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for ibuprofen, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes ibuprofen oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about ibuprofen or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How can I lower my risk of side effects from ibuprofen?
• Can my dosage of ibuprofen be increased if the medication isn’t working for me?
• Is it safe for me to take ibuprofen with my current medical conditions?
• Do any of my other medications interact with ibuprofen?
• What should I do if I become pregnant while taking ibuprofen?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Purple Book: Database of licensed biological products. https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov
• Ibuprofen tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5118d684-2a64-420d-b74e-0fe7c5533fdb/spl-doc#LINK_d9346e2c-3850-43e6-aaf7-162e6c1b5f0e
• Motrin IB (ibuprofen) label. (2021). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/019012Orig1s059lbl.pdf

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.