Ibuprofen

Brand Names

Advil, Advil Childrens, Advil Junior Strength, Advil Liquigel, Advil Migraine, Advil Pediatric, Childrens Ibuprofen Berry, Genpril, IBU, Midol IB, Midol Maximum Strength Cramp Formula, Motrin Childrens, Motrin IB, Motrin Infant Drops, Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, Nuprin

What is Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a medication related to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. It is used to relieve mild to moderate pain, inflammation, fever and stiffness. In some cases, it can also be used to treat osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis symptoms or painful menstrual periods.

Ibuprofen may be used in the combination with other medications in several common cold, flu, migraine and sinus products. It helps to relieve common cold symptoms, flu symptoms or sinus problems such as fever, aches and pains.

Side effects of Ibuprofen

It is obligatory to stop taking Ibuprofen and contact your doctor if you have noticed such serious side effects as:

• unexplained weight gain
• fever
• blisters
• rash
• itching
• hives
• swelling of the eyes, face, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hoarseness
• excessive tiredness
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms
• pale skin
• fast heartbeat
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination
• blurred vision, changes in color vision, or other vision problems
• red or painful eyes
• stiff neck
• headache
• confusion
• aggression

Less serious side effects include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• gas or bloating
• dizziness
• nervousness
• ringing in the ears

Indication

This medication is used in the treatment of several conditions related to pain, inflammation, fever and stiffness.

Ibuprofen can also be used for:

• Pain relief. Ibuprofen can relieve pain following a procedure, as well as pain caused by straining a muscle or inflammation in a tendon (tendonitis) or bursa (bursitis). It can also be used to treat general pain such as a headache, toothache, knee pain, back pain or foot pain.
• Treatment of arthritis symptoms including pain, stiffness and swelling
• Treatment of painful menstrual periods
• Temporary relief of fever

Precautions

If you have any of these medical conditions, please inform your doctor:

• Asthma
• Heart disease, including congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure(hypertension)
• Liver disease or liver failure
• Kidney disease or kidney failure
• Bleeding problems (or if you are taking medicine that decreases your blood's ability to clot)
• Diabetes
• Nasal polyps
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE)
• Stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding or a history of either condition
• Any allergies to medicines, including aspirin or other NSAID pain medicines

It is also very important to inform your doctor if you:

• Are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Drink alcohol frequently
• Smoke
• Are having or have recently had heart surgery
• Are taking any the medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements

Dosage forms

Acute pain, including painful menstrual periods or fever

The recommended non-prescription dosage for most people over 12 years of age is ibuprofen 200 mg by mouth every four to six hours as needed to control pain or fever. You may take 2 tablets or caplets if one does not work. Maximum daily non-prescription dose of ibuprofen is 1200 mg (6 tablets, caplets or capsules.

For infants or children under the age of 12, the dose should be determined by doctor.

To relieve pain, do not self-medicate for more than 10 days without counseling with your doctor. For fever relief, you should contact your doctor after 2-3 days if the fever has not improved. You should inform your doctor or at once if the fever is accompanied by a sore throat.

The starting prescription dose for most people suffering from mild to moderate pain or painful menstruation is ibuprofen 400 mg by mouth every 4-6 hours as needed to control pain.