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Ibuprofen for adults

Sounds like 'eye-bew-pro-fen'

Key points about ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is used to treat pain, inflammation and fever.
Ibuprofen is in a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
Note: the information on this page is about ibuprofen for adults. For information about use for children, see ibuprofen for children.

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Note: The information on this page is for ibuprofen in adults. For information about ibuprofen in children, see ibuprofen in children.

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

It's used to treat different types of pain such as headache, migraine, dental pain, back pain or muscle pain, and pain from injury. Read more about pain and pain relief medication. It also helps to ease redness and swelling, and to treat fever.

Ibuprofen is available in different brands and strengths

In Aotearoa New Zealand ibuprofen is available in many forms such as capsules (100 or 200 mg), immediate-release tablets (200 or 400 mg), slow-release tablets (800 mg) and liquid suspension (100 or 200 mg in 5 mL).

There are also ibuprofen melt-in-your-mouth tablets, skin patches and topical gels to apply to skin over the painful area. Read more about NSAID gels.

The lower strength (200 mg) tablets can be bought from a supermarket or over-the-counter from a pharmacy. The higher strength tablets (400 mg, 800 mg) tablets are only available on prescription written by a prescriber.

Ibuprofen is commonly known by different brand names, eg, Nurofen®, Advil®, I-Profen®, Brufen® and Fenpaed®.

Ibuprofen is also contained in some other combination medications such as:
Maxigesic® Nuromol® Sudafed PE Sinus and Anti-inflammatory Pain®	Brufen extra® Nurofen Cold and Flu® Bi-gesic®

Factsheet: How to take ibuprofen

Ibuprofen factsheet

Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2022

English [PDF, 290 KB]
te reo Māori [PDF, 241 KB]
Samoan [PDF, 219 KB]
Tongan [PDF, 253 KB]
Chinese (simplified) [PDF, 501 KB]
Cook Islands Māori [PDF, 1.4 MB]

The dose of ibuprofen will be different for different people depending on your condition and which strength of medicine you're taking.

The usual dose for adults is 200 mg to 400 mg 3 or 4 times daily if needed.
If you take ibuprofen 200 mg tablets 3 times a day, leave at least 6 hours between doses.
If you take ibuprofen 200 mg tablets 4 times a day, leave at least 4 hours between doses.
Take the lowest dose for the shortest time. Usually, you should only need to take ibuprofen for a short time eg, while you have pain or swelling. Use the lowest dose that works for you and stop as soon as you can.
Don't take more than the recommended amount, which for adults is usually 1200 mg. High doses can be harmful. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a higher dose while you're under their medical supervision.
Always follow the directions on the package or pharmacy label. If you don't know how much to take, check with your pharmacist.

Take ibuprofen with a full glass of water and stay hydrated while taking ibuprofen to protect your kidneys. Swallow the tablets or capsules whole, don't crush or chew them.
Food: If ibuprofen causes a stomach upset, take it with or just after food.
Alcohol: Limit or avoid alcohol while you're taking ibuprofen. Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects like stomach upset, feeling tired and dizziness.
Driving: Ibuprofen can make you feel tired or dizzy. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it when you next need pain relief and then continue as before. Don't take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Ibuprofen patches are available to buy over the counter in supermarkets and pharmacies. In Aotearoa New Zealand, they're not available on a prescription and aren't funded by the government.

These patches are suitable for adults needing short-term relief from pain caused from strains, sprains or osteoarthritis. The same precautions apply as when taking ibuprofen tablets or capsules. Read more about precautions and what to know before using ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen patches release the medicine slowly over 24 hours.

Apply the patch to clean, dry, unbroken skin.
The patch is flexible so it can be applied close to or over a joint.
Don't cut the patch.
Keep the patch dry. Don't cover it with plasters or other bandages.
Don't take ibuprofen capsules or tablets while wearing an ibuprofen patch.
You can use one patch every 24 hours for up to 5 days in a row.
If you still need pain relief, replace it with a new patch after 24 hours.

Read more about using medicine skin patches safely.

For most people taking ibuprofen is safe but extra care is needed in some situations, for example if:

you are dehydrated from being sick (vomiting) or runny poos (diarrhoea)
you have high blood pressure
you have heart or kidney problems or asthma
you're aged 65 years or older
you smoke.

When you should NOT take ibuprofen
Ibuprofen should NOT be used in some situations as it can be harmful. For example, if you: have current or previous stomach problems such as ulcers or bleeding have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease are pregnant have heart or liver failure or chest pain (angina) have had a stroke or heart attack have chronic kidney disease have had an allergic reaction (such as hives or trouble breathing) to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other similar medications (discuss with your healthcare provider) are taking medicines to reduce blood clots (anticoagulants) such as warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban are also taking other anti-inflammatory medicines, eg, diclofenac (Voltaren®), naproxen (Naprosyn®) or celecoxib (Celebrex) are taking some blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking NSAIDs. Read more about the risks associated with NSAIDs.

Taking ibuprofen with other medicines

Ibuprofen interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen is found in many pain medicines you can buy from the pharmacy such as Nuromol® and Maxigesic®.

Serious side effects can happen if you take more than one ibuprofen-containing medicine. If you do take other medicines that have ibuprofen in them, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose of ibuprofen each day which is usually 1200 mg.

Don't take other anti-inflammatory medicines such as diclofenac, naproxen or celecoxib while taking ibuprofen. This can increase your risk of side effects.

It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol because they work differently.

Ibuprofen interacts with some medicines, especially those used for high blood pressure, so check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start taking ibuprofen.

Image credit: University of Otago, NZ

Taking NSAIDs together with blood pressure medicines can be harmful to your kidneys. This is called the ‘triple whammy’. If you're taking blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors or ARBs and diuretics) tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting ibuprofen.

Examples of ACE inhibitors are captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril and ramipril.
Examples of ARBs are candesartan, irbesartan and losartan.
Examples of diuretics are furosemide, bumetanide, bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, indapamide, spironolactone, eplerenone and metolazone.

Read more about the triple whammy.(external link)

Like all medicines, ibuprofen can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Side effects	What should I do?
Heartburn or indigestion Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) Sore stomach Runny poos (diarrhoea)	These are common and should settle within a few days. Take ibuprofen with food. Talk to your healthcare provider if any of these are ongoing.
Headache Feeling dizzy Feeling tired Mild skin rash	These are common. Limit or avoid drinking alcohol if you feel dizzy or tired. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you. If these bother you, or the skin rash is severe, tell your heathcare provider.
Serious stomach problems such as really bad stomach pain, blood in the stool, black or dark colour in your stool, cough or vomit up blood, or dark coloured vomit	Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your healthcare provider immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Signs of kidney problems such as swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all	This is not common. Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your healthcare provider immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Chest pain Shortness of breath or trouble breathing Weakness in one part or side of the body Slurred speech	Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your healthcare provider immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Signs of allergic reaction such as skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or have problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath	This is rare. Stop taking ibuprofen and phone 111 for an ambulance.