Ibuprofen for adults (including Nurofen)

About ibuprofen for adults

Ibuprofen is an everyday painkiller for a range of aches and pains, including back pain, period pain, toothache, strains and sprains, and pain from arthritis.

It's available as tablets and capsules, and as a syrup that you swallow. It also comes as a gel, mousse and spray that you rub into your skin.

Ibuprofen is combined with other painkillers in some products. It's an ingredient in some cold and flu remedies, such as Nurofen Cold and Flu.

You can buy most types of ibuprofen from pharmacies and supermarkets. Some types are only available on prescription.

For under-17s, read our information on ibuprofen for children.

Key facts

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.
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 tummy. Don't take it on an empty stomach.
If you're taking tablets, take the lowest dose for the shortest time. Don't use it for a long time unless you've talked about it with your doctor. Don't use the gel, mousse or spray for more than 2 weeks without talking to your doctor.
Ibuprofen is called by different brand names, including Nurofen, Brufen and Calprofen (syrup). Ibuprofen gel can be called Fenbid, Ibugel and Ibuleve.

Who can and can't take ibuprofen

Some brands of ibuprofen tablets, capsules and syrup contain aspartame, colours (E numbers), gelatin, glucose, lactose, sodium, sorbitol, soya or sucrose, so they may be unsuitable for some people.

Don't take ibuprofen by mouth or apply it to your skin if you:

have had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen or any other medicines in the past
have previously had a reaction, such as asthma, a raised, itchy red rash (urticaria), swelling underneath your skin (angioedema) or swelling of the inside of your nose (rhinitis)
have taken aspirin or any other NSAID
have asthma or another allergic illness
are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding

To make sure ibuprofen (by mouth or on your skin) is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

had bleeding in your stomach, a stomach ulcer, or a perforation (a hole) in your stomach
a health problem that means you have an increased chance of bleeding
liver problems, such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver failure
heart disease or severe heart failure
kidney failure
Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
chickenpox or shingles - taking ibuprofen can increase the chance of certain infections and skin reactions

How to take tablets, capsules and syrup

The usual dose for adults is one or two 200mg tablets 3 times a day. If this isn't enough, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of up to 600mg to take 4 times a day.

If you take ibuprofen 3 times a day, leave at least 6 hours between doses. If you take it 4 times a day, leave at least 4 hours between doses.

If you have pain all the time, your doctor may recommend slow-release ibuprofen tablets or capsules. It's usual to take these once a day in the evening or twice a day. Leave a gap of 10 to 12 hours between doses if you're taking ibuprofen twice a day.

For people who find it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules, ibuprofen is available as a tablet that melts in your mouth, granules that you mix with a glass of water to make a drink, and as a syrup.

Swallow ibuprofen tablets or capsules whole with a glass of water or juice. Don't chew, break, crush or suck them as this could irritate your mouth or throat.

Always take ibuprofen tablets and capsules after a meal or snack or with a drink of milk. It will be less likely to upset your tummy.

What if I forget to take it?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as normal.

Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

Taking too much ibuprofen by mouth can be dangerous. It can cause side effects such as:

feeling sick and vomiting
tummy pain
feeling tired or sleepy
black poo and blood in your vomit - a sign of bleeding in your stomach
tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
difficulty breathing or changes in your heart rate (slower or faster)

If you've taken more than the maximum dose of ibuprofen, call your doctor or go to your nearest hospital accident and emergency (A&E) department as soon as possible.

If you need to go to hospital, take the ibuprofen packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you.

How to use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray

The amount of ibuprofen you put on your skin depends on the product you're using - check the package leaflet carefully for how much to use.

Gently massage the ibuprofen into the painful area 3 or 4 times a day. Leave at least 4 hours between applications, and don't put it on more than 4 times in 24 hours.

Never use ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray on your eyes, mouth, lips, nose or genital area. Do not put it on sore or broken skin. Do not put plasters or dressings over skin you've applied ibuprofen to.

What if I forget to put it on?

Don't worry if you occasionally forget to use it, just carry on using it when you remember.

What if I put on too much?

Putting too much ibuprofen on your skin is unlikely to cause problems.

What if I accidentally swallow the gel?

If you swallow ibuprofen gel or mousse by accident, you may get symptoms including:

headache
vomiting
feeling sleepy

If you get a headache, vomit or feel sleepy after accidentally swallowing ibuprofen gel, contact a doctor or hospital straight away.

Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers

It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine.

But don't take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a doctor.

Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you take them together, ibuprofen plus aspirin or naproxen may increase the chance of you getting side effects like stomach ache.

Side effects of tablets, capsules and syrup

Common side effects

The common side effects of ibuprofen taken by mouth happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don’t go away:

headache
feeling dizzy
feeling sick or vomiting
wind and indigestion

Less common side effects include:

feeling sleepy or anxious
pins and needles
problems with your eyesight
hearing ringing in your ears
difficulty falling asleep

Ibuprofen tablets and capsules can cause inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and ulcers in your stomach, gut or mouth. It can also make it difficult to breathe, or make asthma worse.

Serious side effects

Tell a doctor straight away if you have:

black poo or blood in your vomit - these can be signs of bleeding in your stomach
swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all - these can be signs of a kidney problem
severe chest or tummy pain - these can be signs of a hole in your stomach or gut

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction to ibuprofen.

A serious allergic reaction is an emergency. Contact a doctor straight away if you think you or someone around you is having a serious allergic reaction.

The warning signs of a serious allergic reaction are:

getting a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
wheezing
tightness in the chest or throat
having trouble breathing or talking
swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat

These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen tablets, capsules and syrup. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.

Side effects of gel, mousse and spray

You're less likely to have side effects when you apply ibuprofen to your skin than with tablets, capsules and syrup because less gets into your body. However, you may still get the same side effects, especially if you use a lot on a large area of skin.

Applying ibuprofen to your skin can also cause your skin to become more sensitive than normal to sunlight.

These are not all the side effects of ibuprofen gel, mousse and spray. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

How to cope with side effects

What to do about:

indigestion - stop taking ibuprofen and see your doctor as soon as possible. If you need something to ease the discomfort, try taking an antacid, but don't put off going to the doctor.
feeling sick - stick to simple meals. Don't eat rich or spicy food
vomiting - have small, frequent sips of water. It may also help to take oral rehydration solutions you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket to prevent dehydration. Don't take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
wind - try not to eat foods that cause wind (like pulses, lentils, beans and onions). Eat smaller meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. There are pharmacy medicines that can also help, such as charcoal tablets or simethicone.
your skin being sensitive to sunlight - stay out of bright sun and use a high factor sun cream (SPF 15 or above) even on cloudy days. Don't use a sun lamp or sun beds.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Ibuprofen isn't normally recommended in pregnancy.

It may cause birth defects affecting the baby's heart or blood vessels. There may also be a link between taking ibuprofen in early pregnancy and miscarriage.

Paracetamol is the best painkiller to take during pregnancy.

Ibuprofen and breastfeeding

Ibuprofen is safe to take by mouth or use on your skin if you are breastfeeding.

For safety, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines

Ibuprofen doesn't mix well with some medicines.

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 on your skin:

blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin
anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin, diclofenac, mefenamic acid and naproxen
medicines for high blood pressure
steroid medicines such as betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone
antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin or ofloxacin
antidepressants such as citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, paroxetine or sertraline
diabetes medicines such as gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide and tolbutamide

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Common questions

How does ibuprofen work?

Ibuprofen is a type of medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). 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.

When will I feel better?

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.

Is ibuprofen better than paracetamol or aspirin?

Ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin are all effective painkillers.

Ibuprofen is good for period pain and migraines. It can also be used for back pain and pain from arthritis. It also helps with strains and sprains (but not in the first 48 hours).

Paracetamol is typically used for mild or moderate pain. It may be better than ibuprofen for headaches, toothache, sprains and stomach ache.

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.)

Can I use ibuprofen gel at the same time as ibuprofen tablets?

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.

How long will I take ibuprofen tablets for?

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.

Will ibuprofen affect my fertility?

Taking ibuprofen by mouth, in large doses, or for a long time can affect ovulation in women, possibly making it more difficult for you to get pregnant. This is usually reversible when you stop taking ibuprofen.

Don't take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup if you're trying for a baby. Paracetamol is a better option.

Will ibuprofen affect my contraception?

Ibuprofen – by mouth or on your skin – doesn't affect any contraceptives, including the contraceptive pill and the morning after pill.

Can I take ibuprofen for a long time?

It's safe to take ibuprofen regularly for many years if you need to as long as you don't 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.

Does ibuprofen cause stomach ulcers?

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.

What if ibuprofen doesn't work?

If ibuprofen doesn't work, there are other everyday painkillers you can try, such as:

paracetamol
aspirin
co-codamol (paracetamol combined with low-dose codeine)

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.

Can I drink alcohol with it?

It's usually safe to drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen. But if you're taking ibuprofen by mouth, drinking too much alcohol (more than 14 units a week) may irritate your stomach.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

You can eat and drink normally while taking any type of ibuprofen.

It's best to take ibuprofen tablets, capsules or syrup with, or just after, a meal so it doesn't upset your stomach. Don't take it on an empty stomach.