Brufen contains ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory painkiller, in 200 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg tablets plus a children’s suspension. It relieves pain with an inflammatory component — arthritis, back and muscular pain, period pain, dental pain — and reduces fever. Take it with food.
What is Brufen?
Brufen contains ibuprofen, the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in the world. In South Africa it is available as:
| Form | Strength | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet | 200 mg | S1 |
| Tablet / rapid capsule | 400 mg | S1 |
| Tablet | 600 mg | S3 |
| Suspension for children | 100 mg per 5 ml | S2 |
Ibuprofen blocks cyclo-oxygenase enzymes, which the body uses to make prostaglandins. Prostaglandins produce inflammation, swelling, pain and fever — so blocking them addresses all four at once. The same prostaglandins also protect the stomach lining and help maintain kidney blood flow, and that single fact accounts for both the benefit and every significant risk.
Ibuprofen occupies a useful middle position among painkillers. It does more than paracetamol for inflammatory pain, because paracetamol has little effect on inflammation. And it is gentler than the stronger NSAIDs such as the indomethacin in Arthrexin, which is why ibuprofen is the one available without a prescription at lower strengths.
What is Brufen commonly used for?
Brufen is used for pain, inflammation and fever:
- Period pain, where it is often distinctly better than paracetamol, because that pain is prostaglandin-driven.
- Headache, including tension headache.
- Backache and muscular pain.
- Sprains, strains and sports injuries.
- Arthritis — osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Dental pain, including after extraction.
- Fever, in adults and children.
- Cold and flu aches.
- Gout flares.
The period pain use is worth singling out. Menstrual cramping is caused by prostaglandins acting on the uterus, so an anti-inflammatory targets the actual mechanism rather than only masking the result. Starting it as symptoms begin, rather than after the pain has established, works noticeably better.
For localised pain near the surface — a knee, ankle, elbow or hand — an ibuprofen or diclofenac gel puts the medicine where it is needed with far less reaching the rest of the body. For anyone who needs an anti-inflammatory but has stomach, kidney or heart concerns, that is a genuinely useful option and worth asking a pharmacist about.
How Brufen fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan, Napamol) | Pain and fever; little anti-inflammatory action |
| Standard NSAIDs | Ibuprofen (Brufen), diclofenac, naproxen | Anti-inflammatory; stomach and kidney cautions |
| Potent NSAIDs | Indomethacin (Arthrexin) | Stronger; more stomach and CNS effects |
| COX-2 selective | Etoricoxib, meloxicam | Gentler on the stomach; cardiovascular attention |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Far stronger anti-inflammatory, as courses |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Brufen
Take it with food, use the lowest strength that works, and take it for the shortest period you need.
Never take two anti-inflammatories together. Check other products for ibuprofen, diclofenac or aspirin — combination painkillers such as Mybulen contain ibuprofen already.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
- You have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding, reflux or gastritis.
- You have kidney disease, or are prone to dehydration.
- You have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, or have had a stroke.
- You have asthma. A minority of people with asthma react badly to NSAIDs, sometimes severely.
- You take blood thinners, low-dose aspirin, a corticosteroid, an SSRI antidepressant, a diuretic, an ACE inhibitor, lithium or methotrexate.
- You are pregnant. NSAIDs are generally avoided, and specifically so in the third trimester.
- You are over 65, where stomach and kidney risks are higher.
- The medicine is for a child. Use the paediatric suspension, dose by weight, and use the measuring device supplied.
- You have chickenpox or a child does — NSAIDs are avoided, given a link with serious skin infection.
Follow the pack instructions. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Stomach. NSAIDs are the leading medicine-related cause of stomach bleeding, and ulceration can occur without warning pain. Risk rises with duration, age, alcohol, and combination with steroids, blood thinners or SSRIs.
Kidneys. Ibuprofen can reduce kidney function, particularly if you are dehydrated, older, or on blood-pressure medicines. During an illness with vomiting or diarrhoea, or in extreme heat, pause it and take paracetamol instead unless told otherwise.
Heart. Regular use at higher strengths is associated with increased cardiovascular risk — hence the consistent advice to use the lowest effective amount for the shortest time.
Asthma. If wheeze or breathlessness follows a dose, stop and seek advice.
Consider the gel for localised surface pain.
Do not use it for more than a few days for a new pain without advice. Pain that persists needs a diagnosis rather than a longer course.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or material like coffee grounds, black tarry stools, wheezing or breathlessness, chest pain, one-sided weakness or slurred speech, marked leg or facial swelling, significantly reduced urine, or a blistering or peeling rash.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Brufen 400 mg used for? Pain with an inflammatory component — period pain, headache, backache, arthritis, dental pain, sprains — and fever. It contains ibuprofen.
What is the difference between 200, 400 and 600 mg? The strength. 200 mg and 400 mg are available without a prescription; 600 mg is Schedule 3.
Is it better than paracetamol? For inflammatory pain and period pain, usually yes. For general pain and fever in someone who should avoid NSAIDs, paracetamol is the safer choice.
Can I take it with paracetamol? They are different medicines and are sometimes used together on advice. Never combine it with another anti-inflammatory.
Can I give it to my child? Brufen for children is a suspension dosed by weight. Use the measuring device supplied and check the concentration on the bottle.
Why must it be taken with food? To reduce stomach irritation. This lowers discomfort but does not remove the risk of ulceration with longer use.