Why do you take ibuprofen

If a person takes ibuprofen by mouth, they should notice the effects after 20—30 minutes. People can take ibuprofen by mouth as a syrup or tablet. They can also apply it directly to the skin as a mousse, gel, or spray. Uses include :. Some medications, such as decongestants , have ibuprofen added to create, for example, a combined cold or flu remedy.

Other products combine ibuprofen with opioids, such as oxycodone. These are for short-term use only, as they can result in misuse. The most common adverse effects of ibuprofen are gastrointestinal.

They include:. Ibuprofen is not suitable for people who have previously had an allergic reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs or who have just had or are going to have heart surgery. People who are already using any type of medication should ask a healthcare professional for advice before taking ibuprofen.

In , the Food and Drug Administration FDA strengthened its warning about the increased risk of heart attack or stroke when using ibuprofen. Side effects can arise within the first weeks of using this drug. The risk may be greater with a higher dose or long-term use or if a person has a history of heart disease. The FDA calls on people to be aware of this possible problem and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience chest pain , difficulty breathing , sudden weakness in one part or side of the body, or sudden slurred speech.

A person should consult a doctor or qualified pharmacist if they are unsure about whether to use ibuprofen. People should stop using ibuprofen and contact a doctor if they experience:.

Allergic symptoms include :. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock may occur, and a person will have difficulty breathing. This is life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. People should not use ibuprofen at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later, as it could lead to low levels of amniotic fluid. A person should seek guidance from a healthcare professional before using any medication during pregnancy or when nursing.

Experts do not generally consider ibuprofen to be a medication that will lead to substance use disorder , although at least one case study suggests this is possible. The body does not build up a tolerance to it, so a person will not need larger doses for the same effect. Also, there are no withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using it. Some drugs contain both ibuprofen and opioids, such as hydrocodone or oxycodone. This can affect how well either medicine works and increase the risk of side effects.

Check the leaflet that comes with your medicine to see if it can be taken with ibuprofen. Ask your GP or local pharmacist if you're not sure. As ibuprofen is a type of NSAID, you shouldn't take more than one of these at a time or you'll have an increased risk of side effects. Ibuprofen can also interact with ginkgo biloba, a controversial dietary supplement some people claim can treat memory problems and dementia. There are no known problems caused by taking ibuprofen with any specific foods or by drinking a moderate amount of alcohol.

Ibuprofen can cause a number of side effects. You should take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time needed to control your symptoms. See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects. If you feel unwell after taking ibuprofen or have concerns, speak to your GP or pharmacist, or phone the NHS 24 service.

You can also report suspected side effects using the Yellow Card Scheme. In women, long-term use of ibuprofen might be associated with reduced fertility. This is usually reversible when you stop taking ibuprofen. Some people feel sick, vomit, have abdominal pain or ringing in their ears tinnitus after taking too much ibuprofen, but often there are no symptoms at first. Home Tests and treatments Medicines and medical aids Types of medicine Ibuprofen.

Introduction Ibuprofen is a painkiller available over the counter without a prescription. It's one of a group of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs and can be used to: ease mild to moderate pain — such as toothache , migraine and period pain control a fever high temperature — for example, when someone has the flu influenza ease pain and inflammation redness and swelling caused by conditions that affect the joints, bones and muscles — such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis ease pain and swelling caused by sprains and strains — such as sports injuries This topic covers: Types of ibuprofen Who can take ibuprofen How to take ibuprofen Interactions with medicines, food and alcohol Side effects of ibuprofen Overdoses of ibuprofen Types of ibuprofen You can buy most types of ibuprofen from supermarkets or pharmacies.

Ibuprofen is available in many forms, including: tablets capsules liquids gels or creams sprays In some products ibuprofen is combined with other ingredients. Who can take ibuprofen Some people should avoid using ibuprofen and others should use it with caution. You shouldn't take ibuprofen if you: have a history of a strong, unpleasant reaction hypersensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs have a current or recent stomach ulcer , or you have had one in the past have severe heart failure have severe liver disease are taking low-dose aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease You should use ibuprofen with caution if you're aged 65 or over, breastfeeding, or have: asthma kidney or liver problems lupus Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis previously had any bleeding in your stomach high blood pressure hypertension narrowing of the arteries peripheral arterial disease any problems with your heart, such as angina , heart attacks , or mild or moderate heart failure had a stroke Ibuprofen and pregnancy Ideally, pregnant women shouldn't take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it.

It's best to tell your GP, pharmacist or health visitor about any medicines you're taking. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. You're less likely to have side effects when you apply ibuprofen to your skin than with tablets, capsules and syrup because less gets into your body.

However, you may still get the same side effects, especially if you use a lot on a large area of skin. Applying ibuprofen to your skin can also cause your skin to become more sensitive than normal to sunlight. These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen gel, mousse and spray. Ibuprofen isn't normally recommended in pregnancy — especially if you're 30 or more weeks — unless it's prescribed by a doctor. This is because there might be a link between taking ibuprofen in pregnancy and some birth defects, in particular damage to the baby's heart and blood vessels.

There may also be a link between taking ibuprofen in early pregnancy and miscarriage. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and possible harms of taking ibuprofen. It will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and the reason you need to take the medicine.

There may be other treatments that are safer for you. Ibuprofen is safe to take by mouth or use on your skin if you are breastfeeding. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding. Ibuprofen applied to the skin is less likely to interfere with other medicines than if it's taken by mouth.

For safety, tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking ibuprofen by mouth or using it on your skin:. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. It works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body. When you apply ibuprofen to your skin, it works in the same way as when you take it by mouth, but it only works in the area you've applied it to.

You should start to feel better 20 to 30 minutes after taking ibuprofen by mouth. For some types of long-term pain, you'll need to take ibuprofen regularly for up to 3 weeks for it to work properly. If you're applying ibuprofen to your skin, it should start to work within 1 to 2 days.

Ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin are all effective painkillers. Ibuprofen is good for period pain and migraines. It can also be used for back pain , strains and sprains, as well as pain from arthritis. Paracetamol is typically used for mild or moderate pain. It may be better than ibuprofen for headaches , toothache , sprains , stomach ache , and nerve pain like sciatica. Aspirin works in a similar way to ibuprofen. Like ibuprofen, it's good for period pain and migraines.

If you have heavy periods, it can make them heavier. It won't do you any harm to use ibuprofen gel at the same time as taking ibuprofen tablets. But if you're already taking ibuprofen tablets regularly, you won't get any extra benefit from also using the gel. The gel tends to be best for when you have a pain under the skin and in a very small area of your body. If you're taking ibuprofen for a short-lived pain like toothache or period pain , you may only need to take it for a day or two.

You may need to take ibuprofen for longer if you have a long-term health problem, such as rheumatoid arthritis. If you need to take ibuprofen for more than 6 months, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to protect your stomach from any side effects. Taking ibuprofen occasionally for pain relief — for example when you have a headache — is unlikely to affect your fertility.

However, it's best not to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup if you're trying for a baby. In this case paracetamol is a better option. This is because taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup in large doses, or for a long time, can affect ovulation. This can make it more difficult for you to get pregnant — but is usually reversible when you stop taking ibuprofen. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking ibuprofen will reduce fertility in men.

Ibuprofen — by mouth or on your skin — doesn't affect any contraceptives, including the contraceptive pill and emergency contraception. If you still need ibuprofen after taking it for 10 days check with your doctor before continuing. It's safe to take ibuprofen regularly for many years if your doctor prescribes it, and as long as you do not take more than the recommended dosage. If you need to take ibuprofen by mouth for a long time and you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer , your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.

Ibuprofen can cause ulcers in your stomach or gut, especially if you take it by mouth for a long time or in big doses. If you need to take ibuprofen and you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer , your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach.

If ibuprofen doesn't work, there are other everyday painkillers you can try, such as:. If pharmacy painkillers don't work, your doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger painkiller or recommend another treatment, such as exercise or physiotherapy.

Ibuprofen doesn't work for certain types of pain — for example, nerve pain like sciatica. Your doctor will have to prescribe a different medicine if your pain is related to your nerves. It's usually safe to drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. But if you're taking ibuprofen by mouth, drinking too much alcohol may irritate your stomach. Try to keep to the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units of alcohol a week.

A standard glass of wine ml is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol. It's best to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup with, or just after, a meal so it doesn't upset your stomach. Do not take it on an empty stomach. Page last reviewed: 7 December Next review due: 7 December Ibuprofen for adults including Nurofen On this page About ibuprofen for adults Key facts Who can and cannot take ibuprofen How to take tablets, capsules and syrup How to use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers Side effects of tablets, capsules and syrup Side effects of gel, mousse and spray How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About ibuprofen for adults Ibuprofen is an everyday painkiller for a range of aches and pains, including back pain, period pain , toothache.