Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory painkiller available as 200 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg tablets and a children’s suspension. It relieves period pain, headache, backache, muscular and dental pain and sprains, reduces fever, and eases arthritis. Take it with food.
What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and one of the most widely used medicines in the world. In South Africa it is sold under its own name and as Brufen, Unifen, Bren, Ibusor, Betagesic and Nurofen.
| Form | Strength | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet | 200 mg | S1 — general sale |
| Tablet or capsule | 400 mg | S1 |
| Tablet | 600 mg | S3 — pharmacist |
| Suspension for children | 100 mg per 5 ml | S2 |
| Gel | 5% | Topical |
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 support kidney blood flow — the single fact that explains both the benefit and every significant risk.
Ibuprofen occupies a useful middle position among painkillers: it does more than paracetamol for inflammatory pain, and it is gentler than the stronger NSAIDs such as indometacin.
It is also present in many combination products — Mybulen, Gen-Payne, Myprodol — which is the main way people accidentally take it twice.
What is Ibuprofen commonly used for?
- Period pain, where it is often distinctly better than paracetamol.
- 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.
Period pain is where ibuprofen earns its place most clearly. Menstrual cramping is produced by prostaglandins acting on the uterus, so an anti-inflammatory targets the actual mechanism rather than only dulling the result. Taking it as symptoms begin works noticeably better than waiting until the pain is established.
Choosing between ibuprofen and paracetamol comes down to whether inflammation is involved. For a swollen joint, a sprain, period pain or dental pain, ibuprofen usually does more. For general aches, fever, or in anyone who should avoid NSAIDs — a history of ulcers, kidney disease, heart failure, or NSAID-sensitive asthma — paracetamol is the safer choice.
For localised pain near the surface, an ibuprofen gel delivers the medicine to the area with far less reaching the rest of the body. It is genuinely useful and consistently under-used.
How Ibuprofen fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever; little anti-inflammatory action |
| Standard NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen | Anti-inflammatory; stomach and kidney cautions |
| Potent NSAIDs | Indometacin (Betacin) | Stronger; more stomach and CNS effects |
| COX-2 selective | Meloxicam, celecoxib (Colcibra) | Gentler on the stomach |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Far stronger anti-inflammatory, as courses |
See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Ibuprofen
Take it with food or milk, use the lowest strength that works, and take it for the shortest period you need.
Never take two anti-inflammatories. Check other products for ibuprofen, diclofenac or aspirin — combination painkillers frequently contain one.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:
- You have a history of stomach ulcers, bleeding, reflux or gastritis.
- You have kidney disease, or become dehydrated easily.
- 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 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 when you are dehydrated, older, or on blood-pressure medicines. During a stomach bug with vomiting or diarrhoea, or in extreme heat, use paracetamol instead unless told otherwise. This combination — dehydration plus an NSAID — is one of the more common ways an ordinary medicine causes real harm.
Heart. Regular use at higher strengths is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Occasional use at 200 mg is a different proposition from 600 mg daily for months.
Asthma. Stop and seek advice if wheeze or breathlessness follows a dose.
Do not use it for more than a few days for a new pain without advice. Persistent pain needs a diagnosis.
Watch the headache trap. Taking a painkiller for headache on most days can produce medication overuse headache, which feels like worsening headaches and drives more tablets.
Seek medical attention for stomach pain, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds, black tarry stools, wheezing or breathlessness, chest pain, one-sided weakness or slurred speech, marked swelling of the face or legs, 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 ibuprofen used for? Pain with an inflammatory component — period pain, headache, backache, muscular and dental pain, sprains and arthritis — and fever.
What is the difference between 200, 400 and 600 mg? The strength. 200 mg and 400 mg are available over the counter; 600 mg is Schedule 3 and dispensed by a pharmacist.
Is it better than paracetamol? For inflammatory pain and period pain, usually. For fever and general aches in someone who should avoid NSAIDs, paracetamol is safer.
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? Ibuprofen suspension is widely used in children, dosed by weight. Use the measuring device supplied and check the concentration on the bottle.
Should I avoid it when I have a stomach bug? Yes, generally. Dehydration combined with an NSAID is hard on the kidneys — use paracetamol instead unless your doctor has advised otherwise.