If you take ibuprofen with prednisone, combining the pain reliever with a commonly used corticosteroid, it can lead to a risky drug interaction even though both drugs are largely safe on their own.This may be especially true in older adults and people with certain health conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns of a higher risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding when takingibuprofen(like Advil) along with prednisone, as well as when taking blood thinners and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used at the same time. Talk to your healthcare provider before combining these drugs.
Similarities
Both prednisone and Advil work to reduce these inflammatory responses and the symptoms of pain, itching, redness, warmth, and swelling.
They don’t work the same way, but their common benefits make Advil and prednisone among the more common treatments for rheumatoid arthritis andosteoarthritis, in particular.
Differences
Though both of these drugs have an anti-inflammatory effect, there are a number of significant differences. These have to do with how they work in the body as well as what conditions they treat.
Advil, as anon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is anti-inflammatory without involving corticosteroid hormones. This drug reduces the activity ofcyclooxygenaseenzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), which in turn prevent prostaglandins from stimulating inflammation and pain.
Drugs of the corticosteroid class are often called “steroids,” but they are not the same thing as drugs that athletes take to boost performance.
Side Effects and Risks
Though not outright contraindicated, it’s recommended that people talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking Advil with prednisone.This is due to the increased risk of GI bleeding and the symptoms of:
Factors that contribute to this increased risk can include:
When to Call Your Healthcare ProviderSafely taking medications like NSAIDs also means knowing the signs of serious, adverse reactions. You should stop taking the drug and call 911 if your symptoms include:Hivesor blistersSwelling in the faceWheezing andshortness of breathShock (low blood pressure, mental confusion)Rash or red skin
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Safely taking medications like NSAIDs also means knowing the signs of serious, adverse reactions. You should stop taking the drug and call 911 if your symptoms include:Hivesor blistersSwelling in the faceWheezing andshortness of breathShock (low blood pressure, mental confusion)Rash or red skin
Safely taking medications like NSAIDs also means knowing the signs of serious, adverse reactions. You should stop taking the drug and call 911 if your symptoms include:
Summary
Advil and prednisone both work to reduce inflammation in the body which can cause pain, swelling, and itching. While they both trigger an anti-inflammatory response, they can be used to treat different conditions.
Because these drugs have a similar function, however, taking them together can increase the risk of developing already known side effects from Advil: stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Ibuprofen Drug Facts Label.MedlinePlus.Immune response.Arthritis Foundation.Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.Del Grossi Moura M, Cruz Lopes L, Silva M, Barberato-Filho S, Motta R, Bergamaschi C.Use of steroid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Medicine (Madr). 2018;97(41):e12658. doi:10.1097/md.0000000000012658MedlinePlus.Prednisone.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),Symptoms & Causes of GI Bleeding.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Ibuprofen Drug Facts Label.MedlinePlus.Immune response.Arthritis Foundation.Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.Del Grossi Moura M, Cruz Lopes L, Silva M, Barberato-Filho S, Motta R, Bergamaschi C.Use of steroid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Medicine (Madr). 2018;97(41):e12658. doi:10.1097/md.0000000000012658MedlinePlus.Prednisone.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),Symptoms & Causes of GI Bleeding.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Ibuprofen Drug Facts Label.MedlinePlus.Immune response.Arthritis Foundation.Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.Del Grossi Moura M, Cruz Lopes L, Silva M, Barberato-Filho S, Motta R, Bergamaschi C.Use of steroid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Medicine (Madr). 2018;97(41):e12658. doi:10.1097/md.0000000000012658MedlinePlus.Prednisone.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),Symptoms & Causes of GI Bleeding.
Food and Drug Administration.Ibuprofen Drug Facts Label.
MedlinePlus.Immune response.
Arthritis Foundation.Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.
Del Grossi Moura M, Cruz Lopes L, Silva M, Barberato-Filho S, Motta R, Bergamaschi C.Use of steroid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Medicine (Madr). 2018;97(41):e12658. doi:10.1097/md.0000000000012658
MedlinePlus.Prednisone.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),Symptoms & Causes of GI Bleeding.
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