Ibuprofen Capsules or Tablets

What is this medication?

IBUPROFEN (eye BYOO proe fen) treats mild to moderate pain, inflammation, or arthritis. It may also be used to reduce fever. It belongs to a group of medications called NSAIDs.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Advil, Advil Junior Strength, Advil Migraine, ALIVIO, Genpril, Ibren, IBU, Ibupak, Midol, Midol Cramps and Body Aches, Motrin, Motrin IB, Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, Samson-8, Toxicology Saliva Collection

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Asthma
• Bleeding problems
• Dehydration
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Have had a heart attack, stroke, or mini-stroke
• Heart bypass surgery, or CABG, within the past 2 weeks
• Heart or blood vessel conditions
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lupus
• Stomach bleeding
• Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
• Tobacco use
• An unusual or allergic reaction to ibuprofen, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 12 for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

People 65 years and older may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

If you get this medication as a prescription, a special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you take this medication on a regular basis, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cidofovir
• Ketorolac

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Blood thinners
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Diuretics
• Lithium
• Medications for blood pressure
• Methotrexate
• Other NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as naproxen
• Some medications for depression
• Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
• Supplements, such as garlic, ginger, ginkgo, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. If you need to use this medication for more than 2 days, talk to your care team.

Talk to your care team right away if you have a painful sore throat or a sore throat with high fever, headache, nausea, or vomiting. These may be signs of a serious infection.

Do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, while you are taking this medication. Side effects, such as upset stomach, nausea, and ulcers, may be more likely to occur. Many over-the-counter medications contain aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. It is important to read labels carefully. Talk to your care team about all the medications you take. They can tell you what is safe to take together.

This medication can cause serious bleeding, ulcers, or tears in the stomach. These problems can occur at any time and with no warning signs. They are more common with long-term use. Talk to your care team right away if you have stomach pain, bloody or black, tar-like stools, or vomit blood that is red or looks like coffee grounds.

This medication increases the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. These events can occur at any time. They are more common with long-term use and in those who have heart disease. If you take aspirin to prevent a heart attack or stroke, talk to your care team. They can help you find an option that works for you.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Talk to your care team right away if you have fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Talk to your care team if you may be pregnant. Taking this medication after 20 weeks of pregnancy may cause serious birth defects. Use of this medication after 30 weeks of pregnancy is not recommended.

This medication may cause infertility. It is usually temporary. Talk to your care team if you are concerned about your fertility.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red or dark brown urine, small red or purple spots on skin, unusual bruising or bleeding
• Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
• Heart failure—shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Increase in blood pressure
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Round red or dark patches on the skin that may itch, burn, and blister
• Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F).

Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

How much ibuprofen can I take?

You should take the lowest dose you need to manage your pain, fever or other symptoms. Your healthcare provider can offer guidance on how much ibuprofen you should take according to your symptoms and medical needs.

Never take more than the recommended dose to help improve symptoms that aren’t going away. This is unsafe and can lead to adverse effects (like damage to your stomach or intestines). Instead, call your provider.

How much you can safely take may depend on whether or not you have a prescription.

Over-the-counter ibuprofen

People commonly get ibuprofen without a prescription. Over-the-counter ibuprofen can help you manage mild aches and pains like some headaches or menstrual cramps. However, you shouldn’t take more than 1,200 milligrams of over-the-counter ibuprofen within a 24-hour period.

Stop taking ibuprofen and call your provider if:

• Your pain goes on for more than 10 days or gets worse
• Your fever continues for more than three days or gets worse
• You have new or changing symptoms

In children, the guidelines are a bit different. The proper dose for your child depends on their age and weight. Children under 12 should take liquid or chewable ibuprofen. Follow the label instructions closely and ask your pediatrician if you have any questions. You should stop giving your child ibuprofen and call your pediatrician if your child:

• Doesn’t begin feeling better within 24 hours of their first dose
• Starts having new symptoms
• Has pain or a fever that gets worse or goes on for more than three days

Prescription ibuprofen

Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking prescription ibuprofen, including the proper dosage and how often to take your pills. You’ll also receive printed instructions when you pick up your medication. Prescription ibuprofen may involve stronger doses than if you were taking it over the counter.

Regardless of the dosage, you shouldn’t take more than 3,200 milligrams of prescription ibuprofen within a 24-hour period. Ask your provider if you have any questions or concerns.

How often can you take ibuprofen?

It depends on your age. Here are the general guidelines for over-the-counter ibuprofen:

• Adults and children 12 years of age or older can typically take ibuprofen every four to six hours to treat pain or fever. Don’t take more than six doses within 24 hours.
• You can typically give chewable or liquid ibuprofen to children under age 12 every six to eight hours for pain or fever. But don’t give them more than four doses within 24 hours.

Follow your provider’s instructions for how often you should take prescription ibuprofen to effectively manage your or your child’s condition.

Can you take ibuprofen and Tylenol^® together? 

You shouldn’t take doses of these two medications at the same time. However, you can alternate between taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen (such as Tylenol, a common acetaminophen brand). Wait three to four hours between each dose. For example, take ibuprofen at 9:00 a.m. and then take acetaminophen at 1:00 p.m. And be sure to follow the proper dosage instructions on the label. Research shows alternating medications in this way can effectively manage pain in some cases.

Don’t try this approach for longer than three days unless your healthcare provider says it’s OK. And as with any medication, it’s always a good idea to check with your provider beforehand.

Is ibuprofen a blood thinner?

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Healthcare providers use NSAIDs to treat pain or inflammation, not to act as a blood thinner (anticoagulant). An exception is low-dose aspirin. Providers sometimes recommend aspirin, an NSAID, for its blood-thinning capabilities to lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Providers don’t use ibuprofen as a blood thinner to achieve such treatment goals. However, ibuprofen has a mild effect on your body’s normal blood-clotting process. While it’s not strong enough to act as a blood thinner in the same way as aspirin, it may cause bleeding as a side effect.

So, healthcare providers urge caution when using ibuprofen. They may advise against taking it if you’re on a blood thinner (which also has bleeding as a side effect) or if your risk of bleeding is higher for other reasons. Also, NSAIDs like ibuprofen can affect the way your blood-thinning medication works. This may raise your risk of serious problems like a stroke if you’re taking both at the same time.

Talk to your provider before taking ibuprofen if you:

• Have any underlying medical conditions (including blood clotting disorders, heart disease or kidney disease)
• Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications

Can you take ibuprofen while pregnant?

If you’re pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen. It may harm the developing fetus, especially if you take it at 20 weeks or later. It may also cause complications during delivery. Only take ibuprofen while pregnant if your healthcare provider tells you to.