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Ibuprofen Brand Names
Advil | Advil Children’s | Advil Children’s Fever | Advil Infants’ | Advil Junior Strength
What is Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the propionic acid chemical class.
Ibuprofen is a racemic mixture of 2 isomers; however, only the l-isomer of ibuprofen has been shown to have clinical activity.
Although d-isomer is considered inactive, it is slowly and incompletely converted to the l-isomer in adults and probably children and may serve as a circulating reservoir for the active drug.
All NSAIDs carry an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse effects including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines and may cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
FDA approved labeling of both the OTC and prescription products stress dosing at the lowest effective ibuprofen dose for the shortest possible duration, as the risk for adverse effects may increase with increased use.
A retrospective review by FDA Advisory Committees of short-term efficacy trials of a related non-prescription strength NSAID indicated that an increase in CV events was not apparent during the studies.
However, it is important to note that CV risk was not the focus of the studies, and further information is needed to determine if a cause and effect relationship exists between non-prescription strength NSAID use and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Specific populations are at an increased risk of NSAID-induced adverse events.
The American Geriatrics Society recommends that NSAIDs (nonselective and COX-2 inhibitors) not be used to treat persistent pain in elderly patients except rarely, then only in patients who have failed other therapies and have a favorable benefits vs risks assessment; extreme caution, continued therapy evaluation, and concurrent PPI or misoprostol is advised with ibuprofen use in this population. Ibuprofen is indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and dysmenorrhea.
It also is used for its antipyretic effects and for the alleviation of mild to moderate pain. In addition, clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis.
Topical use has been studied in minor muscle pain treatment. See separate ibuprofen lysine monograph for discussion of NeoProfen, the intravenous formulation indicated to close a clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants.
Oral ibuprofen was approved by the FDA in 1974. In June 2009, the FDA approved an injectable ibuprofen (Caldolor) for pain and fever in hospitalized adults who are unable to take oral medications; in November 2015, intravenous use was approved in pediatric patients as young as 6 months.
Indications
- ankylosing spondylitis
- cystic fibrosis
- dysmenorrhea
- fever
- gouty arthritis
- headache
- juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)/juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
- migraine
- mild pain
- moderate pain
- osteoarthritis
- psoriatic arthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- severe pain
For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)/juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- agranulocytosis
- alopecia
- amblyopia
- anaphylactoid reactions
- anemia
- angioedema
- anxiety
- aplastic anemia
- apnea
- arrhythmia exacerbation
- aseptic meningitis
- asthenia
- azotemia
- blurred vision
- bradycardia
- bronchospasm
- bullous rash
- cataracts
- chest pain (unspecified)
- coma
- confusion
- conjunctivitis
- constipation
- cystitis
- depression
- diaphoresis
- diarrhea
- diplopia
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- dyspepsia
- dysphagia
- dyspnea
- dysuria
- ecchymosis
- edema
- elevated hepatic enzymes
- emotional lability
- eosinophilia
- epistaxis
- eructation
- erythema multiforme
- esophageal stricture
- esophageal ulceration
- esophagitis
- exfoliative dermatitis
- fever
- flatulence
- fluid retention
- gastritis
- GI bleeding
- GI perforation
- glomerulonephritis
- glossitis
- gynecomastia
- hallucinations
- headache
- hearing loss
- heart failure
- hematemesis
- hematuria
- hemolytic anemia
- hepatic failure
- hepatic necrosis
- hepatitis
- hyperglycemia
- hyperkalemia
- hypertension
- hyperuricemia
- hypoglycemia
- hyponatremia
- hypotension
- infection
- infertility
- injection site reaction
- insomnia
- interstitial nephritis
- jaundice
- leukopenia
- lymphadenopathy
- maculopapular rash
- malaise
- melena
- menorrhagia
- metabolic acidosis
- myocardial infarction
- nausea
- nephrotic syndrome
- neutropenia
- odynophagia
- oliguria
- optic neuritis
- palpitations
- pancreatitis
- pancytopenia
- paresthesias
- peptic ulcer
- peripheral edema
- photophobia
- photosensitivity
- platelet dysfunction
- polyuria
- prolonged bleeding time
- proteinuria
- pruritus
- pseudotumor cerebri
- purpura
- pyrosis (heartburn)
- rash
- renal failure (unspecified)
- renal papillary necrosis
- renal tubular necrosis
- respiratory depression
- rhinitis
- scotomata
- seizures
- serum sickness
- sinus tachycardia
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- stomatitis
- stroke
- syncope
- thrombocytopenia
- thromboembolism
- tinnitus
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- tremor
- urticaria
- vasculitis
- vertigo
- visual impairment
- vomiting
- weight gain
- weight loss
- wheezing
- withdrawal
- xerophthalmia
- xerostomia
Monitoring Parameters
- CBC
- LFTs
- serum creatinine/BUN
- stool guaiac
Contraindications
- acute bronchospasm
- acute myocardial infarction
- alcoholism
- angina
- anticoagulant therapy
- asthma
- bone marrow suppression
- breast-feeding
- cardiac arrhythmias
- cardiac disease
- cardiomyopathy
- cerebrovascular disease
- chemotherapy
- coagulopathy
- coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
- coronary artery disease
- corticosteroid therapy
- Crohn’s disease
- dehydration
- diabetes mellitus
- edema
- geriatric
- GI bleeding
- GI disease
- GI perforation
- heart failure
- hematological disease
- hemophilia
- hepatic disease
- hypertension
- hypovolemia
- immunosuppression
- infertility
- labor
- myocardial infarction
- nasal polyps
- neutropenia
- NSAID hypersensitivity
- obstetric delivery
- peptic ulcer disease
- peripheral vascular disease
- pregnancy
- renal disease
- renal failure
- renal impairment
- reproductive risk
- rheumatoid arthritis
- salicylate hypersensitivity
- stroke
- surgery
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- tachycardia
- thrombocytopenia
- thromboembolism
- tobacco smoking
- ulcerative colitis
- urticaria
Interactions
- Abciximab
- Acebutolol
- Acetaminophen; Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Magnesium Salicylate; Phenyltoloxamine
- Acetaminophen; Caffeine; Phenyltoloxamine; Salicylamide
- Acetohexamide
- Acyclovir
- Adefovir
- Aldesleukin, IL-2
- Aliskiren
- Aliskiren; Amlodipine
- Aliskiren; Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Aliskiren; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Aliskiren; Valsartan
- Alpha-blockers
- Alteplase
- Altretamine
- Ambenonium Chloride
- Amikacin
- Amiloride
- Amiloride; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Aminosalicylate sodium, Aminosalicylic acid
- Amiodarone
- Amlodipine; Benazepril
- Amlodipine; Celecoxib
- Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
- Amlodipine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
- Amlodipine; Olmesartan
- Amlodipine; Telmisartan
- Amlodipine; Valsartan
- Amphotericin B
- Amphotericin B cholesteryl sulfate complex (ABCD)
- Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC)
- Amphotericin B liposomal (LAmB)
- Anagrelide
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
- Antithrombin III
- Antithymocyte Globulin
- Apixaban
- Aprepitant, Fosaprepitant
- Aprotinin
- Argatroban
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin, ASA
- Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Butalbital; Caffeine; Codeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Dihydrocodeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Caffeine; Orphenadrine
- Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol
- Aspirin, ASA; Carisoprodol; Codeine
- Aspirin, ASA; Citric Acid; Sodium Bicarbonate
- Aspirin, ASA; Dipyridamole
- Aspirin, ASA; Omeprazole
- Aspirin, ASA; Oxycodone
- Aspirin, ASA; Pravastatin
- Atenolol
- Atenolol; Chlorthalidone
- Atropine; Benzoic Acid; Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate
- Atropine; Edrophonium
- Azathioprine
- Azelastine; Fluticasone
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan; Chlorthalidone
- Bacitracin
- Beclomethasone
- Benazepril
- Benazepril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Bendamustine
- Bendroflumethiazide; Nadolol
- Benzoic Acid; Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate
- Beta-blockers
- Betamethasone
- Betaxolol
- Betrixaban
- Bexarotene
- Bictegravir; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Bismuth Subsalicylate; Metronidazole; Tetracycline
- Bisoprolol
- Bisoprolol; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Bisphosphonates
- Bivalirudin
- Bleomycin
- Brimonidine; Timolol
- Budesonide
- Budesonide; Formoterol
- Bumetanide
- Busulfan
- Calcium Phosphate, Supersaturated
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Candesartan
- Candesartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Cannabidiol
- Capecitabine
- Capreomycin
- Captopril
- Captopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Cardiac glycosides
- Carmustine, BCNU
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Cefotaxime
- Celecoxib
- Chlorambucil
- Chlorpropamide
- Chlorthalidone; Clonidine
- Cholestyramine
- Choline Salicylate; Magnesium Salicylate
- Cholinesterase inhibitors
- Ciclesonide
- Cidofovir
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Cladribine
- Clofarabine
- Clonidine
- Clopidogrel
- Colchicine; Probenecid
- Colistimethate, Colistin, Polymyxin E
- Conjugated Estrogens; Bazedoxifene
- Corticosteroids
- Cortisone
- Cyclosporine
- Cytarabine, ARA-C
- Dabigatran
- Dacarbazine, DTIC
- Dactinomycin, Actinomycin D
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Darunavir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide
- Dasatinib
- Decitabine
- Deferasirox
- Deflazacort
- Denileukin Diftitox
- Desirudin
- Desmopressin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexamethasone
- Diazoxide
- Dichlorphenamide
- Diclofenac
- Diclofenac; Misoprostol
- Diflunisal
- Diphenhydramine; Naproxen
- Dipyridamole
- Docetaxel
- Donepezil
- Donepezil; Memantine
- Doravirine; Lamivudine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Dorzolamide; Timolol
- Doxazosin
- Drospirenone
- Drospirenone; Estradiol
- Drospirenone; Ethinyl Estradiol
- Drospirenone; Ethinyl Estradiol; Levomefolate
- Drotrecogin Alfa
- Duloxetine
- Edoxaban
- Edrophonium
- Efavirenz; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir
- Efavirenz; Lamivudine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Elexacaftor; tezacaftor; ivacaftor
- Eltrombopag
- Elvitegravir
- Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Elvitegravir; Cobicistat; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Emtricitabine
- Emtricitabine; Rilpivirine; Tenofovir alafenamide
- Emtricitabine; Rilpivirine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Emtricitabine; Tenofovir alafenamide
- Emtricitabine; Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
- Enalapril, Enalaprilat
- Enalapril; Felodipine
- Enalapril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Enoxaparin
- Entecavir
- Eplerenone
- Epoprostenol
- Eprosartan
- Eprosartan; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Eptifibatide
- Eribulin
- Erlotinib
- Escitalopram
- Esmolol
- Esomeprazole; Naproxen
- Estramustine
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Ethanol
- Ethinyl Estradiol; Levonorgestrel; Folic Acid; Levomefolate
- Etodolac
- Fenofibric Acid
- Fenoldopam
- Fenoprofen
- Flavocoxid, Flavocoxid; Citrated Zinc Bisglycinate
- Floxuridine
- Fluconazole
- Fludarabine
- Fludrocortisone
- Flunisolide
- Fluorouracil, 5-FU
- Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine; Olanzapine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fluticasone
- Fluticasone; Salmeterol
- Fluticasone; Umeclidinium; Vilanterol
- Fluticasone; Vilanterol
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- food
- Formoterol; Mometasone
- Foscarnet
- Fosinopril
- Fosinopril; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Furosemide
- Gadoterate meglumine
- Galantamine
- Gallium Ga 68 Dotatate
- Ganciclovir
- Garlic, Allium sativum
- Gentamicin
- Ginger, Zingiber officinale
- Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba
- Glimepiride
- Glimepiride; Pioglitazone
- Glimepiride; Rosiglitazone
- Glipizide
- Glipizide; Metformin
- Glyburide
- Glyburide; Metformin
- Gold
- Guanabenz
- Guanfacine
- Heparin
- Hyaluronidase, Recombinant; Immune Globulin
- Hydralazine
- Hydralazine; Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ
- Hydralazine; Isosorbide Dinitrate, ISDN
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Irbesartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Lisinopril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Losartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Methyldopa
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Metoprolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Moexipril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Olmesartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Propranolol
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Quinapril
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Spironolactone
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Telmisartan
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Triamterene
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Valsartan
- Hydrocortisone
- Hyoscyamine; Methenamine; Methylene Blue; Phenyl Salicylate; Sodium Biphosphate
- Ibritumomab Tiuxetan
- Ibuprofen lysine
- Iloprost
- Imatinib
- Immune Globulin IV, IVIG, IGIV
- Indapamide
- Indomethacin
- Inotersen
- Interferon Alfa-2a
- Interferon Alfa-2b
- Interferon Alfa-2b; Ribavirin
- Iodipamide Meglumine
- Iohexol
- Ionic Contrast Media
- Iopamidol
- Iopromide
- Ioversol
- Ioxaglate Meglumine; Ioxaglate Sodium
- Irbesartan
- Isosulfan Blue
- Ivacaftor
- Ixabepilone
- Kanamycin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Labetalol
- Lamivudine; Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Lansoprazole; Naproxen
- Leflunomide
- Lepirudin
- Levobetaxolol
- Levobunolol
- Levomefolate
- Levomilnacipran
- Lisinopril
- Lithium
- Lomustine, CCNU
- Losartan
- Lumacaftor; Ivacaftor
- Lumacaftor; Ivacaftor
- Macimorelin
- Magnesium Salicylate
- Magnesium Salts
- Magnesium Sulfate; Potassium Sulfate; Sodium Sulfate
- Mannitol
- Mecamylamine
- Mechlorethamine, Nitrogen Mustard
- Meclofenamate Sodium
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Melphalan
- Mesalamine, 5-ASA
- Methotrexate
- Methoxsalen
- Methyldopa
- Methylprednisolone
- Methylsulfonylmethane, MSM
- Metoprolol
- Mifepristone
- Milnacipran
- Minoxidil
- Mitomycin
- Mitoxantrone
- Moexipril
- Mometasone
- Nabumetone
- Nadolol
- Naproxen
- Naproxen; Pseudoephedrine
- Naproxen; Sumatriptan
- Nebivolol
- Nebivolol; Valsartan
- Nelarabine
- Neomycin
- Neostigmine
- Nitroprusside
- Non-Ionic Contrast Media
- Olmesartan
- Omacetaxine
- Oritavancin
- Oxaprozin
- Paclitaxel
- Paroxetine
- Pegaspargase
- Pemetrexed
- Penbutolol
- Pentamidine
- Pentosan
- Pentostatin
- Perindopril
- Perindopril; Amlodipine
- Pexidartinib
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Phentermine; Topiramate
- Phentolamine
- Photosensitizing agents (topical)
- Physostigmine
- Pindolol
- Piroxicam
- Platelet Inhibitors
- Pneumococcal Vaccine, Polyvalent
- Polyethylene Glycol; Electrolytes
- Polyethylene Glycol; Electrolytes; Ascorbic Acid
- Polymyxin B
- Polymyxins
- Potassium
- Pralatrexate
- Prasugrel
- Prazosin
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Probenecid
- Procarbazine
- Propranolol
- Pyridostigmine
- Quinapril
- Quinolones
- Ramipril
- Reserpine
- Reteplase, r-PA
- Riluzole
- Rivaroxaban
- Rivastigmine
- Romidepsin
- Sacubitril; Valsartan
- Salicylates
- Salsalate
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Sertraline
- Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid
- Sodium Phosphate Monobasic Monohydrate; Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous
- Sodium picosulfate; Magnesium oxide; Anhydrous citric acid
- Sotalol
- Spironolactone
- Streptokinase
- Streptomycin
- Streptozocin
- Sulfinpyrazone
- Sulfonylureas
- Sulindac
- Tacrine
- Tacrolimus
- Telavancin
- Telbivudine
- Telmisartan
- Temozolomide
- Tenecteplase
- Teniposide
- Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Tenofovir, PMPA
- Terazosin
- Tezacaftor; Ivacaftor
- Thiazide diuretics
- Thioguanine, 6-TG
- Thrombolytic Agents
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Timolol
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- tobacco
- Tobramycin
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
- Tolmetin
- Topiramate
- Torsemide
- Tositumomab
- Trandolapril
- Trandolapril; Verapamil
- Trazodone
- Treprostinil
- Tretinoin, ATRA
- Triamcinolone
- Triamterene
- Urea
- Urokinase
- Valacyclovir
- Valganciclovir
- Valsartan
- Vancomycin
- Vasodilators
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Verteporfin
- Vilazodone
- Vinblastine
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Liposomal
- Vorapaxar
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin
- Zafirlukast
