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. NHS coronavirus advice The Commission on Human Medicines has now confirmed that there is no clear evidence that using ibuprofen to treat symptoms such as a high temperature can make coronavirus COVID worse. Always follow the instructions that come with your medicine.
Updated: 16 April Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Ibuprofen takes 20 to 30 minutes to work if you take it by mouth. It takes 1 to 2 days to work if you put it on your skin. Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body. For strains and sprains, some doctors and pharmacists recommend waiting 48 hours before taking ibuprofen as it may slow down healing.
If you're unsure speak to a pharmacist. Ibuprofen is typically used for period pain or toothache. Some people find ibuprofen better than paracetamol for back pain.
Always take ibuprofen tablets and capsules with food or a drink of milk to reduce the chance of an upset stomach. If you have any queries about using ibuprofen or any other medicines, speak to your GP or pharmacist, or phone the NHS 24 service. But ibuprofen appears in breast milk in small amounts, so it's unlikely to cause any harm to your baby while you're breastfeeding.
Paracetamol is recommended as an alternative to ease short-term pain or reduce a high temperature. Ibuprofen 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 NHS 24 service.
Make 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. 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 service if your symptoms get worse or last more than 3 days despite taking ibuprofen. Ibuprofen 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. 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. A person should consult a physician before taking ibuprofen while breastfeeding.
Advil and Motrin are the brand names of the drug ibuprofen. People can buy lower strengths of ibuprofen over the counter, and higher strengths are available by prescription. Ibuprofen is available in tablet, caplet, liquid gel, chewable tablet, and liquid suspension or drop formulations. It is also an ingredient in many different products, including cold and allergy medicines. Ibuprofen works by blocking the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins play an essential role in inflammation when an injury occurs.
They cause skin flushing, heat, swelling, and pain. Pain medicines are the drug class most often responsible for overdoses in adults. That said, some people have had severe complications. Symptoms of ibuprofen overdose can occur within 4 hours of taking too much of the drug. One of the most common side effects of ibuprofen when a person takes it at recommended dosages is heartburn.
When ibuprofen blocks the COX-1 receptors in the stomach, it can disrupt its protective layer. People who take too much ibuprofen may experience side effects that range from stomach pain to severe bleeding in the digestive tract. The latter can occur within a few hours of an overdose. Kidney failure can occur in both children and adults who overdose with ibuprofen. However, it is not common. A review of ibuprofen toxicity , which the authors updated in , includes a study that scientists conducted at the Rocky Mountain Poison Control Center in Denver, CO.
It showed that only 2 out of 63 people who overdosed with ibuprofen experienced symptoms of kidney failure. In most cases, healthcare professionals can reverse kidney failure from ingestion of a large dosage of ibuprofen.
This can cause loss of consciousness and coma. Children may experience seizures and decreased consciousness from a massive overdose. Some children may even stop breathing. Emergency doctors can reverse the central nervous system toxicities that occur due to an ibuprofen overdose.
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