Ibunate is ibuprofen 200 mg, an anti-inflammatory painkiller. It is used for headache, period pain, backache, muscular and joint pain, dental pain, sprains, and fever. It works on inflammation as well as pain, which is where it differs from paracetamol.
What is Ibunate?
Ibunate contains ibuprofen 200 mg. The South African Medicine Price Registry lists it as a Schedule 3 tablet.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It blocks the cyclo-oxygenase enzymes that produce prostaglandins — the chemicals responsible for pain, swelling and fever at a site of injury or inflammation.
That mechanism is what separates it from paracetamol. Paracetamol acts centrally to reduce the perception of pain and lower temperature, and does very little to inflammation. Ibuprofen works at the site, on the swelling itself. For a sprained ankle, a swollen joint, period cramps or dental pain, that difference is usually noticeable.
The same mechanism produces its cautions. Prostaglandins do other useful jobs: they protect the stomach lining, help maintain blood flow through the kidneys, and are involved in platelet function. Blocking them everywhere is why NSAIDs carry stomach, kidney and cardiovascular risks — these are not incidental side effects but the direct consequence of how the medicine works.
200 mg is the standard over-the-counter tablet strength. Higher strengths — 400 mg and 600 mg — exist as prescription products. Ibuprofen is sold in South Africa under many names, and being given a different brand is ordinary substitution.
What is Ibunate commonly used for?
- Headache and tension headache.
- Period pain, where the anti-inflammatory action works particularly well.
- Back, neck, muscular and joint pain.
- Sprains, strains and soft tissue injuries.
- Dental pain, including after extractions.
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pain.
- Fever, in adults and — at paediatric doses in appropriate products — in children.
- Cold and flu aches.
- Migraine, for symptom relief.
Two practical points.
It is for short-term use unless a doctor has decided otherwise. Use the lowest dose that works, for the shortest time.
Persistent pain needs a diagnosis, not an indefinite supply. Pain that lasts more than a few days, wakes you at night, or keeps returning is a symptom with a cause, and an anti-inflammatory that works well enough is a common reason causes go unexamined.
Medication-overuse headache is worth knowing about: taking painkillers for headache more than about two or three days a week can itself cause headaches.
How Ibunate fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen (Ibunate), diclofenac, naproxen, mefenamic acid | Pain with inflammation; stomach, kidney and heart cautions |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Gentler; no anti-inflammatory effect |
| COX-2 selective | Celecoxib, etoricoxib | Anti-inflammatory, easier on the stomach |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, given as courses |
| Topical NSAIDs | Ibuprofen or diclofenac gel | Localised joint pain; far lower body-wide exposure |
| Combination analgesics | Ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine | Stronger relief; extra cautions |
Paracetamol and ibuprofen work by different mechanisms and can often be used together on advice. For a single painful joint, a topical gel is frequently a better choice than tablets. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Ibunate
Check every other product you are taking for an anti-inflammatory. Cold and flu remedies and combination painkillers frequently contain ibuprofen, and doubling up substantially raises the risk of stomach bleeding.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you:
- Have or have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Have asthma. A proportion of people with asthma react badly to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, sometimes severely.
- Have heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure or a history of stroke.
- Have kidney or liver disease.
- Take blood thinners, aspirin, another NSAID, steroids, SSRIs, diuretics, ACE inhibitors or lithium.
- Are pregnant. NSAIDs are generally avoided, and specifically avoided from 20 weeks onwards. Tell your doctor if you are trying to conceive, as NSAIDs can interfere with ovulation.
- Are breastfeeding, where ibuprofen is generally considered one of the more suitable options — but confirm.
- Are over 65, where stomach and kidney risks rise.
- Have dehydration, or a vomiting or diarrhoea illness — NSAIDs and dehydration together are hard on the kidneys.
Practical points: take it with or after food; use the lowest effective dose; do not take it for more than a few days without advice; and drink enough fluid.
One interaction worth knowing: if you take low-dose aspirin for your heart, ibuprofen can interfere with its protective effect. Ask a pharmacist about timing.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are indigestion, heartburn, nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache and dizziness.
Get emergency help for:
- Vomiting blood, or material like coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools, or severe stomach pain.
- Sudden worsening of asthma, wheezing or breathlessness.
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or signs of a stroke — sudden weakness, facial droop, slurred speech, or a severe unusual headache.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, or a widespread blistering rash.
Contact a doctor if:
- Pain persists beyond a few days, or fever beyond three.
- You develop swollen ankles, reduced urine output or unexplained tiredness.
- You need it most days, or for ongoing pain.
- Headaches are becoming more frequent — possible medication-overuse headache.
- You have indigestion that persists on it, which may mean you need stomach protection or a different painkiller.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What is Ibunate 200 mg used for? Headache, period pain, back and muscular pain, dental pain, sprains, arthritis pain and fever. It contains ibuprofen 200 mg.
Is it the same as ibuprofen? Yes. Ibunate is a brand of ibuprofen.
How is it different from paracetamol? Ibuprofen reduces inflammation as well as pain; paracetamol does not. Paracetamol is gentler on the stomach and kidneys.
Can I take it with paracetamol? They are different medicines and are often used together on advice. Check that no other product you take already contains either.
Should I take it with food? Yes. Food reduces stomach irritation.
Can I take it in pregnancy? Generally not. NSAIDs are avoided in pregnancy, particularly from 20 weeks. Ask your doctor about paracetamol instead.
Can I take it with asthma? Ask a pharmacist first. A proportion of people with asthma react badly to NSAIDs.
How long can I take it for? A few days for short-term pain. Longer use should be a doctor’s decision.