Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Ibuprofen and What Does It Treat?Food and IbuprofenWho Should Avoid Using Ibuprofen?Alternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Ibuprofen and What Does It Treat?
Food and Ibuprofen
Who Should Avoid Using Ibuprofen?
Alternatives
Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) gets absorbed quickly and begins working within about 30 minutes. You may start feeling ibuprofen’s full effectiveness within 1 to 2 hours.
Ibuprofen’s effects generally last for six to eight hours.However, its onset of action and how long it lasts can vary from person to person.
This article will cover ibuprofen, what it treats, its precautions, and alternative approaches.
Ibuprofen (generic for Advil or Motrin) is anonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID) used to control or reduce swelling, pain, and fever in children and adults.
It is available over-the-counter (OTC) as a liquid suspension and a 200 milligram (mg) tablet. Some higher strengths are only available with a prescription.
Note:Do not take more than 3,200 milligrams of ibuprofen per day.
Ibuprofen.Clubfoto / Getty Images
Clubfoto / Getty Images
What Foods Affect How Ibuprofen Works?
Typically, taking NSAIDs like ibuprofen with food or milk is best to avoid stomach upset and ulcers while on this drug.
However, food or milk may delay the absorption or reduce the onset of action of ibuprofen.
Food does not necessarily make ibuprofen less effective in controlling pain and fever.
Ibuprofen should be avoided in specific populations like in people who:
It is also best to avoid ibuprofen with the following:
What Are the Alternatives?
Fortunately, alternatives to ibuprofen may be available. These include the following:
Physical Techniques
Several body-based techniques exist that can assist in pain management. These include acupuncture, the use of heat and ice, and physiotherapy.
Acupuncture:Acupunctureis effective at treating many types of pain, including back and chronic pain.
Heat/Ice Compression:Ibuprofen can be substituted withice and heat compression. However, heat and ice compression are not suitable for all pain and injuries. Always consult your healthcare provider on the best treatment.
Heat Compression:
Ice Compression:
Physiotherapy:
Over-the-Counter Medicines
Aleve:
Capsaicin Cream:
Tylenol:
Voltaren Gel:
Supplements
Pain relieving supplements include but aren’t limited to, glucosamine and turmeric.
Glucosamine:
Turmeric:
Summary
Ibuprofen is an NSAID drug used to treat pain and fever. It begins to work within 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion. It lasts for six to eight hours.
Like all other medications, ibuprofen can cause side effects. Some of those side effects include bleeding and stomach upset.
Taking large doses of this medication or taking it for long periods can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Taking large doses of this medicine or for extended periods should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Alternatives like acupuncture, heat or ice compression, supplements, and other OTC medicines are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ibuprofen can last for up to six hours. However, this may vary from person to person. Taking higher doses or long-acting forms may increase how long ibuprofen lasts.
Ibuprofen can become ineffective or even harmful after the expiration date. The expiration date guarantees the medication will remain safe and effective if stored properly. After this date, it may lose its potency or safety.
7 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 labelVickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al.Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis.J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J.Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury.Postgrad Med.2015;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719Food and Drug Administration.Aleve labelFood and Drug Administration.Voltaren gel label.Zhu X, Sang L, Wu D, Rong J, Jiang L.Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):170. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5Singletary K.Turmeric: potential health benefits.Nutrition Today.2020;55(1):45-56. doi:10.1097/NT.0000000000000392
7 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 labelVickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al.Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis.J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J.Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury.Postgrad Med.2015;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719Food and Drug Administration.Aleve labelFood and Drug Administration.Voltaren gel label.Zhu X, Sang L, Wu D, Rong J, Jiang L.Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):170. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5Singletary K.Turmeric: potential health benefits.Nutrition Today.2020;55(1):45-56. doi:10.1097/NT.0000000000000392
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 labelVickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al.Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis.J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J.Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury.Postgrad Med.2015;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719Food and Drug Administration.Aleve labelFood and Drug Administration.Voltaren gel label.Zhu X, Sang L, Wu D, Rong J, Jiang L.Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):170. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5Singletary K.Turmeric: potential health benefits.Nutrition Today.2020;55(1):45-56. doi:10.1097/NT.0000000000000392
Food and Drug Administration.Ibuprofen label
Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, et al.Acupuncture for chronic pain: update of an individual patient data meta-analysis.J Pain. 2018;19(5):455-474. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2017.11.005
Malanga GA, Yan N, Stark J.Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury.Postgrad Med.2015;127(1):57-65. doi:10.1080/00325481.2015.992719
Food and Drug Administration.Aleve label
Food and Drug Administration.Voltaren gel label.
Zhu X, Sang L, Wu D, Rong J, Jiang L.Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):170. doi:10.1186/s13018-018-0871-5
Singletary K.Turmeric: potential health benefits.Nutrition Today.2020;55(1):45-56. doi:10.1097/NT.0000000000000392
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