Ibuprofen helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is used to provide relief in ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation in joints of the spine), rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation in joints of fingers, wrist, feet, ankles), and osteoarthritis (joint pain and swelling due to bone damage or deterioration).
This medicine may also be used to relieve fever and treat pain associated with menstrual period, headache, migraine, dental work, post-surgery, sprains, and strains.
Ibuprofen may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Ibuprofen exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal.
Ibuprofen is available as a conventional tablet or capsule, prolonged-release tablet, effervescent granules, and oral suspension.
If you are taking the conventional tablet or capsule, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking the prolonged-release type of tablet, swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
If you are taking the effervescent granules, dissolve the granules in a glass (at least 150 mL) of water, then drink the solution immediately. To ensure that there is no medicine left, rinse the empty glass with a small amount of water and drink it.
If you are taking the oral suspension, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Ibuprofen, aspirin or similar painkillers.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of asthma, rhinitis (inflammation of the inside lining of the nose caused by allergens), skin rash, or other allergic reactions after taking aspirin or similar painkillers
- active or history of stomach ulcer or bleeding
- history of bleeding or perforation in the gut that is related to previous use of NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation)
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as this medicine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Ibuprofen if you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Ibuprofen may cause harm to your unborn child.
This medicine should not be used to treat pain in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (a procedure to improve and restore the blood flow in the heart).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of stomach or bowel disease e.g. Crohn's disease (a long-term inflammatory disease of the digestive tract), ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestines)
- history of asthma or rhinitis (inflammation of the inside lining of the nose caused by allergens)
- heart disease e.g. mild to moderate heart failure, recent heart attack
- low volume of circulating fluids in the body
- high blood pressure
- high blood cholesterol
- diabetes
- blood vessel problems
- systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- porphyria (an inherited disorder that may cause skin or nerve problems)
- blood-clotting problems
- chickenpox
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are in your 1st or 2nd trimester of pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Ibuprofen to a child or the elderly. They may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Notify your doctor if you smoke, consume large amounts of alcohol, or if you are a frequent alcohol drinker.
Individuals who are intermediate or poor metaboliser of CYP2C9 may experience enhanced effects of this medicine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, complete blood count, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring for signs of stomach or bowel problems and vision changes may also be needed.
Ibuprofen may cause drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or discomfort, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion, stomach wind, headache, and nervousness.
This medicine may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- pass out bloody or black as tar stools and vomiting blood or ground coffee-like material
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark-coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines used to relieve pain and inflammation e.g. naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines) e.g. prednisolone, cortisone
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel
- medicines to treat depression e.g. sertraline
- medicines for high blood pressure
- water pills or medicines for water retention
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- certain antibiotics e.g. amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- medicines for diabetes
- zidovudine (medicine for HIV infection)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ibuprofen.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the side effects caused by Ibuprofen.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Available products of Ibuprofen may vary with its storage requirements. Ask your doctor or pharmacist on how to properly store this medicine.
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