Ibuprofen is a painkiller available over the counter without a prescription. Show
It's one of a group of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and can be used to:
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 ibuprofenYou can buy most types of ibuprofen from supermarkets or pharmacies. Some types are only available on prescription. Ibuprofen is available in many forms, including:
In some products ibuprofen is combined with other ingredients. For example, it's sometimes combined with medicine for a blocked nose (a decongestant) and sold as a cold and flu remedy. Who can take ibuprofenSome people should avoid using ibuprofen and others should use it with caution. If you have any queries about using ibuprofen or any other medicines, speak to your GP or pharmacist, or phone the NHS 24 111 service. You shouldn't take ibuprofen if you:
You should use ibuprofen with caution if you're aged 65 or over, breastfeeding, or have:
Ibuprofen and pregnancyIdeally, pregnant women shouldn't take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it. But ibuprofen appears in breast milk in small amounts, so it's unlikely to cause any harm to your baby while you're breastfeeding. It's best to tell your GP, pharmacist or health visitor about any medicines you're taking. Paracetamol is recommended as an alternative to ease short-term pain or reduce a high temperature. Ibuprofen and childrenIbuprofen may be given to children aged 3 months or over who weigh at least 5kg (11lbs) to relieve pain, inflammation or fever. Your GP or another healthcare professional may recommend ibuprofen for younger children in certain cases – for example, this may be to control a fever after a vaccination if paracetamol is unsuitable. If your baby or child has a high temperature that doesn't get better or they continue to experience pain, speak to your GP or phone the NHS 24 111 service. How to take ibuprofenMake sure you take ibuprofen as directed on the label or leaflet, or as instructed by a health professional. How much you can take depends on your age, the type of ibuprofen you're taking and how strong it is. For example:
The painkilling effect of ibuprofen begins soon after a dose is taken, but the anti-inflammatory effect can sometimes take up to 3 weeks to get the best results. Ibuprofen shouldn't be used to treat conditions that are mainly related to inflammation. Don't take more than the recommended dose if it isn't relieving your symptoms. Adults can take paracetamol at the same time if necessary, but this isn't recommended for children. Contact your GP or phone the NHS 24 111 service if your symptoms get worse or last more than 3 days despite taking ibuprofen. Interactions with medicines, food and alcoholIbuprofen can react unpredictably with certain other medicines. 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. NSAIDs can also interact with many other medicines, including:
Read more about medicines that interact with NSAIDs. 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. Side effects of ibuprofenIbuprofen 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. Common side effects of ibuprofen include:
Less common side effects include:
If you feel unwell after taking ibuprofen or have concerns, speak to your GP or pharmacist, or phone the NHS 24 111 service. You can also report suspected side effects using the Yellow Card Scheme. High dosesTaking high doses of ibuprofen over long periods of time can increase your risk of:
In women, long-term use of ibuprofen might be associated with reduced fertility. This is usually reversible when you stop taking ibuprofen. Overdoses of ibuprofenTaking too much ibuprofen, known as an overdose, can be very dangerous. If you've taken more than the recommended maximum dose, go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible. It can be helpful to take any remaining medicine and the box or leaflet with you to A&E if you can. 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. Go to A&E even if you're feeling well. What should I eat before taking ibuprofen?Take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid with a meal or snack, or with a drink of milk. It will be less likely to upset your stomach. If you take it just after food, ibuprofen may take longer to start working.
Do you have to eat a lot to take ibuprofen?You can eat and drink normally while taking any type of ibuprofen. It's best to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid with a meal so it does not upset your stomach. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
What should I eat before taking 800 mg ibuprofen?If you've experienced an upset stomach when taking medications in the past, the FDA recommends taking ibuprofen with food or a glass of milk to reduce the chance you'll feel queasy.
How long after eating should you take ibuprofen?Taking medication after eating or with food usually means taking medication 30 minutes to one hour after a meal. For medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen, aspirin), metformin for diabetes and steroid medication, these need to be taken after eating.
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