Nurofen is a brand of ibuprofen — an anti-inflammatory painkiller for headache, period pain, dental pain, muscular pain, arthritis and fever. The brand covers a wide family of products at different strengths, and some contain more than ibuprofen, which is where the confusion and most of the risk lies.
What is Nurofen?
The South African Medicine Price Registry lists a range of Nurofen products, nearly all containing ibuprofen:
| Product | Schedule | Contains |
|---|---|---|
| Nurofen tablets | S1 | Ibuprofen 200 mg |
| Nurofen Caplets | S2 | Ibuprofen 200 mg |
| Nurofen Express / Liquid Capsules | S1 | Ibuprofen 200 mg |
| Nurofen Gel | S1 | Ibuprofen 50 mg/g |
| Nurofen for Children | S2 | Ibuprofen 100 mg/5 ml suspension |
| Nurofen Cold and Flu | S2 | Ibuprofen 200 mg, with a decongestant |
| Nurofen period pain range | S1 | Ibuprofen 400 mg, and in some listings additional ingredients |
The registry entries for the extra-strength and combination products list additional ingredients including codeine, pseudoephedrine and lidocaine across the range. This is the important point about Nurofen as a brand: the name does not tell you what is in the box. A “Nurofen” you assume is plain ibuprofen may contain a decongestant that raises blood pressure, or codeine, which carries dependence risk. Read the active ingredients on your own pack rather than relying on the brand.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). It blocks the COX enzymes that produce prostaglandins — the chemicals responsible for pain, swelling and fever at the site of injury. It works where the problem is, which is why it suits inflammatory pain better than paracetamol does.
“Express” and “liquid capsule” versions use ibuprofen in a salt or liquid form that dissolves faster. They act somewhat sooner. The total effect is the same.
Nurofen is not stronger than generic ibuprofen. Ibuprofen 200 mg is ibuprofen 200 mg whatever the box costs, and generic versions are considerably cheaper.
What is Nurofen commonly used for?
- Headache, including tension headache and migraine.
- Period pain, where an anti-inflammatory is genuinely more effective than paracetamol, since prostaglandins drive the cramping directly.
- Dental pain and toothache, as short-term relief while awaiting treatment.
- Back, neck and muscular pain.
- Sprains, strains and sports injuries, where the swelling matters as well as the pain — the gel is useful here, delivering the medicine locally with far less absorbed into the body.
- Arthritis pain, including osteoarthritis flares.
- Fever, in adults and, with the children’s suspension, in children.
- Cold and flu aches — though not the infection itself.
For a swollen, inflamed problem, ibuprofen usually beats paracetamol. For general pain and fever, or where NSAIDs are unsuitable, paracetamol is the safer choice. Many people do best alternating or combining them, which is reasonable on advice.
It is for short-term use at over-the-counter strength. Pain lasting beyond a few days needs a cause found, and regular painkiller use for headache can itself cause medication-overuse headache.
How Nurofen fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen (Nurofen), diclofenac, naproxen | Pain, fever, inflammation; stomach, kidney, heart cautions |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever; gentler; little anti-inflammatory effect |
| NSAID + paracetamol | Mypaid Forte and similar | Two mechanisms in one tablet |
| Topical NSAIDs | Nurofen Gel, diclofenac gel | Local effect, far less absorbed |
| COX-2 selective | Etoricoxib, celecoxib | Gentler on the stomach |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, in courses |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Nurofen
Read the ingredients on your pack. Some Nurofen products contain a decongestant or codeine as well as ibuprofen, and these carry cautions of their own — raised blood pressure with pseudoephedrine, dependence and constipation with codeine.
Do not take another anti-inflammatory alongside it — no diclofenac, naproxen, mefenamic acid or aspirin at painkilling doses. Doubling NSAIDs multiplies stomach and kidney risk without improving pain relief.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor before using it if you:
- Have or have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or gut bleeding.
- Have kidney disease, liver disease, or heart failure.
- Have high blood pressure or heart disease. NSAIDs raise blood pressure and carry a small increase in heart attack and stroke risk with regular use.
- Have asthma. Anti-inflammatories trigger severe attacks in a minority of asthmatics.
- Are over 65, where stomach and kidney risks rise substantially.
- Take warfarin or another blood thinner, low-dose aspirin, steroids, an SSRI antidepressant, an ACE inhibitor or ARB, a diuretic, lithium or methotrexate.
- Are pregnant. NSAIDs are avoided, particularly after 20 weeks. Paracetamol is preferred.
- Are giving it to a child. Use the children’s suspension, dosed by weight and age.
Practical points:
- Take it with or just after food.
- Follow the pack instructions for how much and how often. This page does not set doses.
- Use it for a few days, not indefinitely.
- Drink enough fluid, particularly in hot weather or illness — dehydration plus an NSAID is hard on the kidneys.
- The gel is a good option for a localised muscle or joint problem, with much lower whole-body exposure.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are indigestion, heartburn, nausea and abdominal discomfort, reduced by taking it with food. Headache and dizziness also occur.
Get emergency help for:
- Vomiting blood, or material like coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools.
- Severe abdominal pain.
- Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of a stroke — face drooping, arm weakness, difficulty speaking.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- A widespread blistering or peeling rash.
Seek prompt advice for:
- Wheezing or worsening asthma after taking it.
- Persistent indigestion or stomach pain.
- Reduced urine output, swollen ankles, or unusual tiredness.
- A rash or itching.
- Bruising or bleeding more easily.
- Ringing in the ears.
See a doctor if pain is not controlled, if you need it for more than a few days, if you find yourself taking it most days, or if pain comes with fever, weight loss, numbness, weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control. Those need assessment, not a stronger painkiller.
For a child, seek advice for a fever that will not settle, reduced feeding or wet nappies, drowsiness, or a rash that does not fade under pressure.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Nurofen tablets used for? Headache, period pain, dental pain, back and muscular pain, arthritis, sprains and fever. They contain ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory painkiller.
Is Nurofen the same as ibuprofen? Yes — Nurofen is a brand of ibuprofen. Generic ibuprofen at the same strength works identically and costs considerably less.
Do all Nurofen products contain only ibuprofen? No. Some contain a decongestant or codeine as well. Read the active ingredients on your own pack.
Is Nurofen Express stronger? No, faster. It uses a form that dissolves more quickly. The total effect is the same.
Can I take it with paracetamol? They are different medicines and are sometimes used together on advice. Do not combine it with another anti-inflammatory.
Is it better than paracetamol for period pain? Usually yes. Prostaglandins drive the cramping directly, and ibuprofen blocks their production.
Can I take it in pregnancy? Ask your doctor. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly after 20 weeks; paracetamol is preferred.
Is the gel as effective? For a localised muscle or joint problem, often yes — with far less absorbed into the body and correspondingly fewer risks.