IBUPROFEN

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Advil, Motrin, Nuprin

GENERIC NAME(S): IBUPROFEN

Description: Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 that inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins in body tissues.
Onset: Analgesic: 30-60 min. Anti-inflammatory: ≤7 days (oral).
Duration: 4-6 hr (oral).
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the GI tract. Topical formulation is partially absorbed to the skin. Food may reduce the rate of absorption. Time to peak plasma concentrations: 1-2 hr.
Distribution: Plasma protein binding: 90-99%.
Metabolism: Hepatic via oxidation.
Excretion: Via urine (primarily as metabolites, 1% as unchanged drug), and faeces (small amount). Plasma half-life: Approx 2 hr.

Uses

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by blocking your body’s production of certain natural substances that cause inflammation. This is why it is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, arthritis, fever, or minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu.This medication may also be used to treat gout attacks.

How to use ibuprofen

If you are taking the over-the-counter product, read all directions on the product package before taking this medication. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking ibuprofen and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, usually every 4 to 6 hours with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug. If you have stomach upset while taking this medication, take it with food, milk, or an antacid.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of stomach bleeding and other side effects, take this medication at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed by your doctor or the package label. For ongoing conditions such as arthritis, continue taking this medication as directed by your doctor.

When ibuprofen is used by children, the dose is based on the child’s weight. Read the package directions to find the proper dose for your child’s weight. Consult the pharmacist or doctor if you have questions or if you need help choosing a nonprescription product.

For certain conditions (such as arthritis), it may take up to two weeks of taking this drug regularly until you get the full benefit.

If you are taking this drug “as needed” (not on a regular schedule), remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.

If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away. If you are using the nonprescription product to treat yourself or a child for fever or pain, consult the doctor right away if fever worsens or lasts more than 3 days, or if pain worsens or lasts more than 10 days.

Warnings

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (including ibuprofen) may rarely increase the risk for a heart attack or stroke.

This drug may infrequently cause serious (rarely fatal) bleeding from the stomach or intestines.

Stop taking ibuprofen and get medical help right away if you notice any of these rare but serious side effects:

black/tarry stools
persistent stomach/abdominal pain
vomit that looks like coffee grounds
chest/jaw/left arm pain
shortness of breath
unusual sweating
confusion
weakness on one side of the body
slurred speech
sudden vision changes

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits and risks of taking this drug.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

Upset stomach
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Diarrhea
Constipation
Dizziness
drowsiness

This medication may raise your blood pressure.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

easy bruising/bleeding
hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears)
mental/mood changes
swelling of the ankles/feet/hands
sudden/unexplained weight gain
unexplained stiff neck
change in amount of urine
vision changes
unusual tiredness

This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Precautions
- Allergic reaction from this medication
- Patients with medical history of:
  - asthma (including a history of worsening breathing after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs)
  - blood disorders (such as anemia, bleeding/clotting problems)
  - growths in the nose (nasal polyps)
  - heart disease (such as previous heart attack)
  - high blood pressure
  - liver disease
  - stroke
  - throat/stomach/intestinal problems (such as bleeding, heartburn, ulcers)
- Kidney problems due to this medication
- This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy
- This medicine may cause ulcer
- This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun
- Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery
- This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding
Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions

Some products that may interact with this drug include:
- Aliskiren
- ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, lisinopril)
- cidofovir
- corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
- lithium
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan, valsartan)
- “water pills” (diuretics such as furosemide).
This medication may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel and “blood thinners” such as dabigatran/enoxaparin/warfarin.

Pain relievers/fever reducers (including aspirin, NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ketorolac, or naproxen) are similar to ibuprofen and may increase your risk of side effects if taken together.

Overdose & Brands

OverdoseIf overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include:

severe stomach pain
trouble breathing
extreme drowsiness

Notes

If your doctor has prescribed this medication, do not share it with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, kidney function tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this drug on a regular schedule (not just “as needed”) and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands

Available Brands

Advil [ Pfizer Consumer ]	Advil Suspension for Kids [ Pfizer Consumer ]
Brufen [ Abbott ]	Dolan FP [ Pediatrica ]
Faspic [ Zambon ]	FeverFree [ The United Drug ]
Gofen 400 [ Mega Lifesciences ]	Ibuped [ Multicare ]
Medbufen/Medbufen SR [ Medhaus ]	Medicol Advance [ United Lab ]
XFEN Flashtab [ Athena ]

Also marketed as

Dolafen [ Ashford ]	Dolex [ Yangzhou No. 3 ]
Finlax [ YSP ]	Genselax [ Doctors ]
Idyl SR [ Multicare ]	Medicol [ United Lab ]
Midol [ A. Menarini ]	Mutrim [ New Myrex Lab ]
Nurofen [ Boots ]	Rheuxan [ Flamingo ]