Ibuprofen | Health Navigator NZ

Ibuprofen is used to treat pain, inflammation and fever. Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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 available in different brands and strengths
Dose
How to take ibuprofen
When is taking ibuprofen a concern?
Taking ibuprofen with other pain medicines
Taking ibuprofen with blood pressure medicines
Possible side effects of ibuprofen

What is ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is in a group of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

It's used to treat different types of pain such as headache, migraine, dental pain, back pain or muscle pain, and pain from injury. Read more about pain and pain relief medication. It also helps to ease redness and swelling, and to treat fever.

Ibuprofen is available in different brands and strengths

Ibuprofen is known by different brand names, for example:
Brufen® Ibugesic® I-Profen®	Nurofen® Advil® Fenapaed®
Ibuprofen is also contained in some other combination medications such as:
Nurofen Plus® Maxigesic® Nuromol®	Brufen extra® Nurofen Cold and Flu® Bi-gesic®

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.

Dose

The dose of ibuprofen will be different for different people depending on your condition and which strength of medicine you are taking.

The usual dose for adults is 200 mg to 400 mg 3 or 4 times daily if needed.
Take the lowest dose for the shortest time. Usually, you should only need to take ibuprofen for a short time eg, while you have pain or swelling. Use the lowest dose that works for you and stop as soon as you can. Don't take more than the recommended amount which is usually 1200 mg daily. High doses can be harmful.
Always follow the directions on the package or pharmacy label. If you don't know how much to take, check with your pharmacist.

How to take ibuprofen

Take ibuprofen with a full glass of water and stay hydrated while taking ibuprofen to protect your kidneys. Swallow the tablets whole, don't crush or chew them.
If ibuprofen causes a stomach upset, take it with or just after food.
Limit or avoid alcohol while you are taking ibuprofen. Alcohol can increase the risk of side effects like stomach upset.
Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose, take it when you next need pain relief and then continue as before. Don't take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose.

When is taking ibuprofen a concern?

For most people taking ibuprofen is safe but extra care is needed in some situations, for example if:

you have high blood pressure
you have heart or kidney problems or asthma
you're aged 65 years or older
you smoke.

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 ibuprofen
Ibuprofen should NOT be used in some situations as it can be harmful. For example, if you: have current or previous stomach problems such as ulcers or bleeding are pregnant have heart failure or chest pain (angina) have had a stroke or heart attack have chronic kidney disease have had an allergic reaction (such as hives or trouble breathing) to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other similar medications (discuss with your healthcare provider) are taking medicines to reduce blood clots (anticoagulants) such as warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban are also taking other anti-inflammatory medicines, eg, diclofenac (Voltaren®), naproxen (Naprosyn®) or celecoxib (Celebrex) are taking some blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking NSAIDs. Read more about the risks associated with NSAIDs.

When you should NOT take ibuprofen

Ibuprofen should NOT be used in some situations as it can be harmful.

For example, if you:

have current or previous stomach problems such as ulcers or bleeding
are pregnant
have heart failure or chest pain (angina)
have had a stroke or heart attack
have chronic kidney disease
have had an allergic reaction (such as hives or trouble breathing) to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other similar medications (discuss with your healthcare provider)
are taking medicines to reduce blood clots (anticoagulants) such as warfarin, dabigatran and rivaroxaban
are also taking other anti-inflammatory medicines, eg, diclofenac (Voltaren®), naproxen (Naprosyn®) or celecoxib (Celebrex)
are taking some blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics. Always check with your healthcare provider before taking NSAIDs.

Read more about the risks associated with NSAIDs.

Taking ibuprofen with other pain medicines

Ibuprofen 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.

Do not take other anti-inflammatory medicines such as diclofenac, naproxen or celecoxib while taking ibuprofen. This can increase your risk of side effects.

It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol because they work differently.

Taking ibuprofen with blood pressure medicines

Ibuprofen interacts with some medicines, especially those used for high blood pressure, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking ibuprofen.

Image credit: University of Otago, NZ

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.

Examples of ACE inhibitors are captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and quinapril.
Examples of ARBs are candesartan, irbesartan and losartan.
Examples of diuretics are furosemide, bumetanide, bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, indapamide, spironolactone, eplerenone and metolazone.

Possible side effects of ibuprofen

Side effects	What should I do?
Heartburn Indigestion Stomach discomfort Runny poo (diarrhoea)	These are common and should settle within a few days. Take ibuprofen with food. Talk to your doctor if it is ongoing.
Serious stomach problems such as really bad stomach pain, blood in the stool, black or dark colour in your stool, cough or vomit up blood, or dark coloured vomit	Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Signs of allergic reaction such as skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or have problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath	Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Swollen ankles, blood in your pee or not peeing at all – these can be signs of a kidney problem.	Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Chest pain Shortness of breath or trouble breathing Weakness in one part or side of the body Slurred speech	Stop taking ibuprofen. Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Did you know that you can report a side effect to a medicine to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)? Report a side effect to a product.

Learn more

The following links provide further information about ibuprofen. Be aware that websites from other countries may have information that differs from NZ recommendations.

Ibuprofen (Māori) NZ Formulary Patient Information, NZ
Ibuprofen for pain and inflammation Patient info, UK
Ibuprofen patient information guide SafeRx, Waitematā DHB, NZ