Austifen is an ibuprofen tablet from Austell, available in 200 mg and 400 mg strengths. It is used for everyday pain and inflammation — headache, period pain, backache, toothache, muscular aches and sprains — and to bring down fever. It is one of many South African ibuprofen brands.
What is Austifen?
Austifen contains ibuprofen, and is registered in South Africa in two tablet strengths:
| Product | Strength |
|---|---|
| Austifen | Ibuprofen 200 mg |
| Austifen | Ibuprofen 400 mg |
It is a Schedule 3 medicine, obtained through a pharmacist rather than from the open shelf.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes, which the body uses to make prostaglandins — the chemical messengers behind inflammation, swelling, pain signalling and fever. Reducing prostaglandins reduces all four, which is why a single NSAID can act as painkiller, anti-inflammatory and fever reducer at once.
Ibuprofen is among the most widely used medicines in the world. In South Africa it is sold under many names — Brufen, Nurofen, Ibuprofen generics, Austifen and others. Being dispensed one when you expected another is ordinary generic substitution.
The practical difference between the strengths is not subtle. 200 mg suits everyday aches; 400 mg is the more usual anti-inflammatory strength for something like a sprain or a painful joint. Which is appropriate depends on the problem and on your own health, which is what the pharmacist is there to judge.
What is Austifen commonly used for?
- Headache, including tension headache.
- Period pain, where an anti-inflammatory is often more effective than paracetamol.
- Backache and muscular pain.
- Sprains, strains and soft-tissue injury, where swelling is part of the problem.
- Toothache, as short-term relief while awaiting dental treatment.
- Joint pain, including osteoarthritis flares.
- Cold and flu symptoms — the aches and fever, not the infection itself.
- Fever in adults.
The distinction from paracetamol is worth understanding. Paracetamol relieves pain and fever but does little for inflammation, and is gentle on the stomach, kidneys and heart. Ibuprofen genuinely reduces inflammation and swelling — but carries cautions paracetamol does not. For a swollen ankle, ibuprofen is usually the better choice. For someone with a stomach ulcer or kidney disease, paracetamol usually is.
Austifen treats symptoms while the underlying problem settles. It does not treat infection, and in arthritis it does not slow joint damage.
How Austifen fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan, Panado) | Pain and fever; minimal anti-inflammatory effect |
| Non-selective NSAIDs | Ibuprofen (Austifen, Brufen), diclofenac | Pain and inflammation; stomach and kidney cautions |
| COX-2 selective | Celecoxib, etoricoxib | Anti-inflammatory, gentler on the stomach |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, given as short courses |
| Compound analgesics | Mybulen, Stilpane | Paracetamol with codeine and others |
Ibuprofen is generally regarded as one of the gentler non-selective NSAIDs on the stomach at everyday doses — which is why it is so widely available — but it is an NSAID and the same cautions apply. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Austifen
Do not take it with another anti-inflammatory. Diclofenac, mefenamic acid, naproxen and aspirin are all NSAIDs. Doubling up multiplies stomach risk without improving relief — and ibuprofen hides in many combination cold, flu and period-pain products, so read the ingredients.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor first if you:
- Have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or bleeding in the gut.
- Have kidney disease, or are dehydrated — from illness, heat or hard exercise.
- Have heart failure, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
- Have asthma. A minority of people with asthma react to NSAIDs with significant wheezing.
- Have liver disease.
- Are over 65.
- Are pregnant. NSAIDs are generally avoided in pregnancy, especially from around 20 weeks and in the third trimester. Paracetamol is usually preferred.
- Are breastfeeding, where ibuprofen is often considered acceptable but should be confirmed.
- Take warfarin or another blood thinner.
- Take an ACE inhibitor or ARB together with a diuretic — that combination plus an NSAID is a well-recognised cause of acute kidney injury.
- Take low-dose aspirin for your heart, as ibuprofen can interfere with its protective effect.
- Take lithium, methotrexate or an SSRI antidepressant.
- Are buying for a child. Children are dosed by weight and use paediatric suspensions, not adult tablets.
Take it with food or after eating, follow the pack instructions, and use the lowest strength that works for the shortest time. This page does not set doses.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Most people tolerate short courses well. Common effects are indigestion, nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache and dizziness. Food helps the stomach symptoms.
Stop and seek medical attention urgently if you notice:
- Vomiting blood, or vomit resembling coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- Sudden wheezing, particularly if you have asthma.
- A spreading rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- Much less urine than usual, or swollen ankles.
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or sudden one-sided weakness or slurred speech.
Serious stomach bleeding can occur without warning pain, so the bleeding signs matter even when you feel otherwise fine.
See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few days, if fever persists past three days or returns, if pain is severe, or if you are reaching for an anti-inflammatory most days. Continuous use is a reason to find the cause rather than keep suppressing the symptom.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Austifen used for? Pain and inflammation — headache, period pain, backache, toothache, muscular aches, sprains and joint pain — and fever. It contains ibuprofen.
What is the difference between Austifen 200 mg and 400 mg? Only the amount of ibuprofen per tablet. 200 mg suits everyday aches; 400 mg is the more usual anti-inflammatory strength. Ask a pharmacist which fits your situation.
Is Austifen the same as Brufen or Nurofen? The active ingredient is the same — ibuprofen. The manufacturer and strengths available differ.
Is Austifen an antibiotic? No. It is an anti-inflammatory painkiller and has no effect on infection.
Can I take it with paracetamol? They are different medicines and are sometimes used together on advice. What to avoid is taking two anti-inflammatories at once, so check combination products for ibuprofen.
Can I take it on an empty stomach? Better with food or after eating. Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining, and food reduces that.
Is it safe in pregnancy? Generally avoided, particularly from around 20 weeks onward. Paracetamol is usually the preferred painkiller — confirm with your doctor or pharmacist.