Ibuprofen is used to treat pain, inflammation and fever. Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects. Show
Note: the information on this page is about ibuprofen for adults. For information about use for children, see ibuprofen for children. On this page, you can find the following information:
What is ibuprofen?Ibuprofen is in a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen is available in different brands and strengthsIbuprofen is known by different brand names, for example:
The lower strength (200 mg) tablets can be bought from a supermarket or over-the-counter from a pharmacy. The higher strength tablets (400 mg, 800 mg) tablets are only available on prescription from your doctor. DoseThe dose of ibuprofen will be different for different people depending on your condition and which strength of medicine you are taking.
How to take ibuprofen
When is taking ibuprofen a concern?For most people taking ibuprofen is safe but extra care is needed in some situations, for example if:
It can be harmful if you take ibuprofen when you are dehydrated or have been sick with diarrhoea (runny poos) or vomiting. Read more about the risks of NSAIDs. When you should NOT take ibuprofenIbuprofen should NOT be used in some situations as it can be harmful.
Read more about the risks associated with NSAIDs. Taking ibuprofen with other pain medicinesIbuprofen is found in many pain medicines you can buy from the pharmacy such as Nurofen Plus® and Maxigesic®. Serious side effects can happen if you take more than one ibuprofen-containing medicine. If you do take other medicines that have ibuprofen in them, be careful not to take more than the recommended dose of ibuprofen each day which is usually 1200 mg. It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol because they work differently. Taking ibuprofen with blood pressure medicinesIbuprofen interacts with some medicines, especially those used for high blood pressure, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking ibuprofen. Taking NSAIDs together with blood pressure medicines can be harmful to your kidneys. This is called the ‘triple whammy’. If you are taking blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors or ARBs and diuretics) tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting ibuprofen.
Read more about the triple whammy. Possible side effects of ibuprofenSide effectsWhat should I do?
Learn moreThe following links provide further information about ibuprofen. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from NZ recommendations. |