Ibuprofen: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug sold in the U.S. under 17 brand and generic names, for juvenile arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and bursitis. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
- Treats (across its forms)
- Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Bursitis
- Available as
- Tablet · Capsule · Suspension · Tablet, chewable · Drops · Injectable
- Sold as
- 17 products — Advil, Children's Advil and Junior Strength Advil, and others
- Prescription?
- Both Rx and OTC forms
- Generic available?
- Yes
- Half-life
- about 1.8 to 2.0 hours
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $0.04 per ml — not your price
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How Caldolor is dosed
From the FDA label for Caldolor (application NDA022348). Other ibuprofen products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Use the lowest effective dosage for shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals. ( 2.1 ) CALDOLOR Injection vials must be diluted before administration. ( 2.1 ) CALDOLOR Injection bags are ready to use. ( 2.1 ) Adult Pain: 400 mg to 800 mg intravenously over 30 minutes every 6 hours as necessary. ( 2.2 ) Adult Fever: 400 mg intravenously over 30 minutes, followed by 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours or 100-200 mg every 4 hours as necessary. ( 2.2 ) Pediatric (pain and fever) ages 12 to 17 years of age: 400 mg intravenously over 10 minutes every 4 to 6 hours as necessary. ( 2.3 ) Pediatric (pain and fever) aged 6 months to less than 12 years of age: 10 mg/kg intravenously over 10 minutes up to a maximum single dose of 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as necessary. ( 2.3 ) Pediatric (pain and fever) aged 3 months to less than 6 months: 10 mg/kg intravenously over 10 minutes up to a maximum single dose of 100 mg. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 ) ]. After observing the response to initial therapy with CALDOLOR, the dose and frequency should be adjusted to suit an individual patient's needs. Do not exceed 3200 mg total daily dose in adults. Do not exceed 40 mg/kg or 2,400 mg, whichever is less, total…
Everything below is the FDA label for Caldolor (injectable). Ibuprofen is also sold as tablet, capsule, suspension, tablet, chewable and drops, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Caldolor side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] GI Bleeding, Ulceration and Perforation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Hepatotoxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] Hypertension [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ] Heart Failure and Edema [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 ) ] Renal Toxicity and Hyperkalemia [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ] Anaphylactic reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 ) ] Serious Skin Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 ) ] Hematologic Toxicity [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ) ] The most common adverse reactions are nausea, flatulence, vomiting, headache, hemorrhage and dizziness (>5%). The most common adverse reactions in pediatric patients are infusion site pain, vomiting, nausea, anemia and headache (≥2%). ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-877-484-2700 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be compared directly to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adult Population…
Who shouldn’t take Caldolor
CALDOLOR is contraindicated in the following patients: Known hypersensitivity (e.g., anaphylactic reactions and serious skin reactions) to ibuprofen or any components of the drug product [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.9 ) ] History of asthma, urticaria, or other allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, sometimes fatal, anaphylactic reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 , 5.8 ) ] In the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] Known hypersensitivity to ibuprofen or any component of the drug product ( 4 ) History of asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs ( 4 ) In the setting of CABG surgery ( 4 )
Caldolor drug interactions
See Table 3 for clinically significant drug interactions with ibuprofen. Table 3: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Ibuprofen Drugs That Interfere with Hemostasis Clinical Impact: Ibuprofen and anticoagulants such as warfarin have a synergistic effect on bleeding. The concomitant use of ibuprofen and anticoagulants have an increased risk of serious bleeding compared to the use of either drug alone. Serotonin released by platelets plays an important role in hemostasis. Case-control and cohort epidemiological studies showed that concomitant use of drugs that interfere with serotonin reuptake and an NSAID may potentiate the risk of bleeding more than an NSAID alone. Intervention: Monitor patients with concomitant use of CALDOLOR with anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin), antiplatelet agents (e.g., aspirin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for signs of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ) ]. Aspirin Clinical Impact: Pharmacodynamic (PD) studies have demonstrated interference with the antiplatelet activity of aspirin when ibuprofen 400 mg, given three times daily, is administered with enteric-coated low-dose aspirin. The interaction exists even following a once-daily regimen of ibuprofen 400 mg, particularly when ibuprofen is dosed prior to aspirin. The interaction is alleviated if immediate-release low-dose aspirin is dosed at least 2 hours prior to a once daily regimen of ibuprofen; however, this finding cannot be extended to enteric-coated low-dose aspirin [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )]. Controlled clinical studies showed that the concomitant use of NSAIDs and analgesic doses of aspirin does not produce any greater therapeutic effect than the use of NSAIDs alone. In a clinical study, the concomitant use of an NSAID and aspirin was associated with a significantly increased incidence of GI adverse reactions as compared to use of the NSAID alone [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Intervention: Because there may be an increased risk of cardiovascular events due to the interference of ibuprofen with the antiplatelet effect of aspirin, for patients taking low-dose aspirin for cardioprotection who require analgesics, consider use of an NSAID that does not interfere with the antiplatelet effect of aspirin, or non-NSAID analgesics, where appropriate. Concomitant use of CALDOLOR and analgesic doses of aspirin is not generally recommended because of the increased risk of bleeding [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.11 ) ]. CALDOLOR is not a substitute for low dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection. ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, and Beta-Blockers Clinical Impact: NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or beta-blockers (including propranolol). In patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or have renal impairment, co-administration of an NSAID with ACE inhibitors or ARBs may result in deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible. Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and ACE-inhibitors, ARBs, or beta- blockers, monitor blood pressure to ensure that the desired blood pressure is obtained. During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and ACE-inhibitors or ARBs in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted, or have impaired renal function, monitor for signs of worsening renal function [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ]. When these drugs are administered concomitantly, patients should be adequately hydrated. Assess renal function at the beginning of the concomitant treatment and periodically thereafter. Diuretics Clinical Impact: Clinical studies, as well as post-marketing observations, showed that NSAIDs reduced the natriuretic effect of loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) and thiazide diuretics in some patients. This effect has been attributed to the NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR with diuretics, observe patients for signs of worsening renal function, in addition to assuring diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 ) ]. Digoxin Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of ibuprofen with digoxin has been reported to increase the serum concentration and prolong the half-life of digoxin. Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and digoxin, monitor serum digoxin levels. Lithium Clinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity. Methotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of NSAIDs and methotrexate may increase the risk for methotrexate toxicity (e.g., neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction). Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and methotrexate, monitor patients for methotrexate toxicity. Cyclosporine Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of CALDOLOR and cyclosporine may increase cyclosporine's nephrotoxicity. Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and cyclosporine, monitor patients for signs of worsening renal function. NSAIDs and Salicylates Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of ibuprofen with other NSAIDs or salicylates (e.g., diflunisal, salsalate) increases the risk of GI toxicity, with little or no increase in efficacy [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ]. Intervention: The concomitant use of ibuprofen with other NSAIDs or salicylates is not recommended. Pemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of CALDOLOR and pemetrexed, may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (see the pemetrexed prescribing information). Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and pemetrexed, in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance ranges from 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal and GI toxicity. NSAIDs with short elimination half-lives (e.g., diclofenac, indomethacin) should be avoided for a period of two days before, the day of, and two days following administration of pemetrexed. In the absence of data regarding potential interaction between pemetrexed and NSAIDs with longer half-lives (e.g., meloxicam, nabumetone), patients taking these NSAIDs should interrupt dosing for at least five days before, the day of, and two days following pemetrexed administration. Drugs that Interfere with Hemostasis (e.g. warfarin, aspirin, SSRIs/SNRIs): Monitor patients for bleeding who are concomitantly taking CALDOLOR with drugs that interfere with hemostasis. Concomitant use of CALDOLOR and analgesic doses of aspirin is not generally recommended. ( 7 ) ACE Inhibitors, Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), or Beta-Blockers: Concomitant use with CALDOLOR may diminish the antihypertensive effect of these drugs. Monitor blood pressure .( 7 ) ACE Inhibitors and ARBs: Concomitant use with CALDOLOR in elderly, volume depleted, or those with renal impairment may result in deterioration of renal function. In such high risk patients, monitor for signs of worsening renal function. ( 7 ) Diuretics: NSAIDs can reduce natriuretic effect of furosemide and thiazide diuretics. Monitor patients to assure diuretic efficacy including antihypertensive effects. ( 7 ) Digoxin: Concomitant use with CALDOLOR can increase serum concentration and prolong half-life of digoxin. Monitor serum digoxin levels. ( 7 )
Can you take ibuprofen with…?
Source-cited answers for the combinations people actually ask about — each with a verdict and what to watch for.
Every ibuprofen product we track (17)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Suspension | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 3 | 72/100 | Over-the-counter | Tablet | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Capsule | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Capsule | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 7 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 8 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Capsule | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 9 | 70/100 | Over-the-counter | Capsule | Generic | $0 | View → | |
| 10 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $0 | View → |
What ibuprofen pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I8 | 800 mg | white | capsule | — |
| MOT | 200 mg | orange | oval | — |
| I2 | 200 mg | brown | round | — |
| I;7 | 600 mg | white | oval | — |
| 44;291 | 200 mg | brown | round | — |
| G2 | 200 mg | brown | round | — |
| 44;291 | 200 mg | brown | round | — |
| PC16 | 200 mg | blue | capsule | — |
| 777 | 800 mg / 26.6 mg | white | capsule | — |
| IBU;800 | 800 mg | white | capsule | — |
| I8 | 800 mg | white | capsule | — |
| IB1 | 200 mg | blue | capsule | — |
Combination products containing ibuprofen
A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.
Ibuprofen recalls
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension
Presence of foreign substance: the firm received complaints for a gel-like mass and black particles in the product.
STRIDES PHARMA INC · Mar 2, 2026
Advil a) Ibuprofen
CGMP Deviations: Insanitary conditions including rodent exposure/activity in their distribution center.
GOLD STAR DISTRIBUTION INC · Dec 26, 2025
Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (NSAID) Tablets
CGMP Deviations
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA · Mar 13, 2025
IBU (ibuprofen) 600 mg tablets
Failed Tablet/Capsule Specifications
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. · Oct 29, 2024
Ibuprofen 800mg
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Product failed impurity specifications at the 18-month stability testing.
Direct Rx · Aug 9, 2024
How long ibuprofen keeps
No ibuprofen label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does ibuprofen expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsGiving ibuprofen to a child
Children’s ibuprofen is sold at 24 different strengths, and each has its own dosing chart on its label — a chart is only correct for the bottle it was printed on. We hold the chart from 152 labelled products.
Children’s ibuprofen dosage charts, by strengthIbuprofen and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for ibuprofen: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadBecause of its extremely low levels in breastmilk, short half-life and safe use in infants in doses that are much higher than those excreted in breastmilk, ibuprofen is a preferred choice as an analgesic or anti-inflammatory agent in nursing mothers. Giving ibuprofen and acetaminophen on a fixed schedule for 24 hours after vaginal delivery appears to increase the breastfeeding rate. There is no difference in breastfeeding initiation rate between ibuprofen or acetaminophen alone after vaginal delivery.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised August 15, 2025. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about ibuprofen
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 218,696 reports naming ibuprofen, and the FDA flagged 73% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- fatigue15,311 reports
- nausea14,496 reports
- headache12,951 reports
- arthralgia11,377 reports
- dyspnoea11,213 reports
- vomiting10,718 reports
- diarrhoea10,351 reports
- rash9,496 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean ibuprofen caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved August 25, 2026.
How long ibuprofen stays in your system
The elimination half-life of ibuprofen is about 1.8 to 2.0 hours. The label states a single serum half-life of 1.8 to 2.0 hours — it does not split the curve into a distribution and a terminal phase, so this is the elimination figure. Ibuprofen is not a prodrug, and the label names no active metabolite that outlasts the parent: the two major urinary metabolites (metabolite A, a hydroxymethyl-propyl derivative, and metabolite B, a carboxypropyl derivative) are described only as excretion products, and the label notes that excretion is virtually complete 24 hours after the last dose. This label does not report a different half-life for older adults or for people with kidney or liver impairment; it only advises caution in patients 65 and older and in those with impaired renal or hepatic function, so any change in clearance in those groups is not quantified here. This is a pharmacokinetic figure about how fast the drug leaves the blood — it is not a dosing instruction and not a drug-test detection window.
Ibuprofen tablets USP — FDA label, Clinical Pharmacology (DailyMed) ↗Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Can you drink alcohol on ibuprofen?
The label says use caution
The label addresses alcohol inside its Stomach bleeding warning. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that may cause severe stomach bleeding, and the label lists having 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using the product as one of the factors that raises that chance (alongside taking it longer than directed, blood thinners or steroids, prior ulcers, or being 60 or older). The label directs anyone to whom the stomach bleeding warning applies to ask a doctor before use. This is a gastrointestinal bleeding risk, not a disulfiram-like reaction or CNS/respiratory depression.
Is ibuprofen safe during pregnancy?
The label states a known risk
The label names a specific fetal risk: as an NSAID, ibuprofen can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) and, in some cases, neonatal kidney impairment. Because of this, the label says to limit use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation and to avoid it at about 30 weeks and later. For the first and second trimesters, the label calls observational data on other embryofetal risks inconclusive and says the background risk of birth defects/miscarriage for this population is unknown. This is not medical advice for your situation — a pregnant person should consult their prescriber about the label's guidance.
This is what ibuprofen’s FDA label says — not a recommendation to take or stop it. In pregnancy, that decision is your prescriber’s; do not start or stop a medicine on your own.
Ibuprofen tablets — DailyMed FDA label (§8.1 Pregnancy) ↗Does ibuprofen cause weight gain?
The label reports no established weight effect
The label does not establish a weight-change effect from ibuprofen. Its only mention of weight is 'unexplained weight gain' listed as a warning sign of congestive heart failure and fluid retention (edema) to watch for and report — i.e., a symptom of a cardiac/fluid complication, not a systematically measured weight effect of the drug.
Only what the FDA label reports — many drugs blamed for weight change online have no weight effect in their label, and we say so rather than repeat the folklore.
Ibuprofen tablets — DailyMed FDA label (§8.1 Pregnancy) ↗Related guides
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is Caldolor?
CALDOLOR (ibuprofen injection) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, available as an 800 mg/8 mL single dose vial (100 mg/mL) and 800 mg/200 mL (4 mg/mL) polypropylene, single dose, ready-to-use, flexible bag for intravenous administration.
What kind of drug is ibuprofen?
The FDA classifies ibuprofen as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs block cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that your body uses to make prostaglandins, the chemicals behind pain, swelling, and fever. Lowering prostaglandins eases pain and inflammation and brings down a high temperature. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Is ibuprofen safe during pregnancy?
The label names a specific fetal risk: as an NSAID, ibuprofen can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus and fetal renal dysfunction leading to oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid) and, in some cases, neonatal kidney impairment. Because of this, the label says to limit use between about 20 and 30 weeks of gestation and to avoid it at about 30 weeks and later. For the first and second trimesters, the label calls observational data on other embryofetal risks inconclusive and says the background risk of birth defects/miscarriage for this population is unknown. This is not medical advice for your situation — a pregnant person should consult their prescriber about the label's guidance. This is what ibuprofen's FDA label says; whether to use it in pregnancy is your prescriber's decision.
Does ibuprofen cause weight gain?
The label does not establish a weight-change effect from ibuprofen. Its only mention of weight is 'unexplained weight gain' listed as a warning sign of congestive heart failure and fluid retention (edema) to watch for and report — i.e., a symptom of a cardiac/fluid complication, not a systematically measured weight effect of the drug.
Can you drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen?
The label addresses alcohol inside its Stomach bleeding warning. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that may cause severe stomach bleeding, and the label lists having 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using the product as one of the factors that raises that chance (alongside taking it longer than directed, blood thinners or steroids, prior ulcers, or being 60 or older). The label directs anyone to whom the stomach bleeding warning applies to ask a doctor before use. This is a gastrointestinal bleeding risk, not a disulfiram-like reaction or CNS/respiratory depression. This is what ibuprofen's FDA label says; alcohol advice depends on your dose and health, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How long does ibuprofen stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of ibuprofen is about 1.8 to 2.0 hours — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. The label states a single serum half-life of 1.8 to 2.0 hours — it does not split the curve into a distribution and a terminal phase, so this is the elimination figure. Ibuprofen is not a prodrug, and the label names no active metabolite that outlasts the parent: the two major urinary metabolites (metabolite A, a hydroxymethyl-propyl derivative, and metabolite B, a carboxypropyl derivative) are described only as excretion products, and the label notes that excretion is virtually complete 24 hours after the last dose. This label does not report a different half-life for older adults or for people with kidney or liver impairment; it only advises caution in patients 65 and older and in those with impaired renal or hepatic function, so any change in clearance in those groups is not quantified here. This is a pharmacokinetic figure about how fast the drug leaves the blood — it is not a dosing instruction and not a drug-test detection window. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Can you take ibuprofen with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run ibuprofen against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is ibuprofen sold under?
We track 17 ibuprofen-containing products in the U.S.: Advil, Children's Advil, Junior Strength Advil, Advil Liqui-Gels, Advil Migraine Liqui-Gels, Children's Motrin, Junior Strength Motrin and Midol Liquid Gels, and 9 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does ibuprofen come in?
Across the brands we track, ibuprofen is currently marketed as tablet, capsule, suspension, tablet, chewable, drops and injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic ibuprofen?
Yes. Our catalog lists 2 generic ibuprofen products alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has ibuprofen been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions ibuprofen. The most recent: Children's Ibuprofen Oral Suspension (Mar 2, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.
What should I avoid while taking ibuprofen?
Alcohol: the FDA label flags alcohol as something to be careful with — see the alcohol section above for what it actually says. Other medicines: we hold source-cited interaction answers for Can you take ibuprofen and Tylenol together?, Can you take ibuprofen with prednisone?, Can you take ibuprofen with amoxicillin? and Can you take Benadryl with ibuprofen? and more. This is what the FDA label and our cited sources say — it is not a complete list. Your pharmacist can check your own combination.
What are the most common side effects of ibuprofen, and do they go away?
Stomach-related complaints lead the list: heartburn, indigestion, nausea, stomach pain, and gas. Dizziness, headache, and mild rash also show up. Most of these are dose-related and fade once you stop or drop to a lower dose, but they do not fade while you keep taking it — ibuprofen blocks the prostaglandins that protect your stomach lining for as long as it is in your system. Taking it with food or milk helps the burning, but food does not lower the risk of a real ulcer or bleed. This answers for oral ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generics).
When is an ibuprofen side effect an emergency?
Call 911 for chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side, or slurred speech — ibuprofen carries an FDA boxed warning for heart attack and stroke, and the risk can begin in the first weeks of use. Go to an emergency room for black or tarry stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or vomiting blood: that is a GI bleed, the second boxed warning, and the FDA label notes it can happen at any time, without warning symptoms. Also urgent: a spreading blistering rash or peeling skin, facial or throat swelling and wheezing, or a sharp drop in how much you're urinating along with swollen ankles.
Who should not take ibuprofen, and who has the highest risk of serious problems?
Do not take it at all if aspirin or another NSAID has ever given you asthma, hives, or an allergic-type reaction — NSAIDs are contraindicated in those people, and severe, sometimes fatal bronchospasm has occurred. The FDA also warns against using it right after coronary bypass surgery. Highest risk among people who can take it: adults 60 and over, anyone with a past ulcer or GI bleed, and anyone having 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day (the threshold on the OTC label's own stomach-bleeding warning). Risk multiplies when ibuprofen is combined with a blood thinner (warfarin, apixaban), a steroid like prednisone, an SSRI antidepressant, or aspirin. For kidneys, the highest-risk group is people already on a diuretic plus an ACE inhibitor or ARB — adding an NSAID to that pair is a known trigger for acute kidney injury, especially when you're dehydrated with a stomach bug or heat illness. People with heart failure, cirrhosis, or existing kidney disease should treat ibuprofen as a doctor's-decision drug, not a grab-off-the-shelf one.
How do I take ibuprofen to keep the risk down?
Lowest dose that works, for the shortest time. The OTC Drug Facts label caps self-treatment at 200-400 mg every 4 to 6 hours, no more than 1,200 mg in 24 hours, and no more than 10 days for pain or 3 days for fever without seeing a doctor — higher daily doses are prescription territory and carry more risk. Never stack it with another NSAID (naproxen, diclofenac, many cold and sinus combos hide one). If you take low-dose aspirin for your heart, ibuprofen can block aspirin's anti-clotting effect: FDA advice is to take ibuprofen at least 30 minutes after immediate-release aspirin, or more than 8 hours before it. Acetaminophen is the alternative that spares the stomach and kidneys, though it has its own liver limit.
Is ibuprofen safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Avoid it from 20 weeks of pregnancy onward. FDA issued a 2020 warning that NSAIDs taken at or after 20 weeks can cause low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) from fetal kidney problems, and after 30 weeks they can close a fetal blood vessel (the ductus arteriosus) that must stay open until birth. Before 20 weeks, use only if your obstetrician tells you to. Breastfeeding is different: very little ibuprofen passes into milk, and it is generally considered one of the more compatible pain relievers, per MedlinePlus and LactMed — confirm with your clinician for your situation.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Ibuprofen: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/ibuprofen
- MLA
- “Ibuprofen: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/ibuprofen.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for ibuprofen on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.