Ibuprofen

Other names

Ibuprofen may also be known by its brand or trade names. Some common examples include:

Effects of ibuprofen

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk – even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Ibuprofen affects everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken.

Side effects

The most common side effects of ibuprofen are:

• headache
• dizziness
• drowsiness, fatigue and restless sleep
• thirst and sweating
• tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• ringing in the ears
• blurred vision and eye irritation
• fluid retention and ankle swelling
• mild allergic reaction
• abdominal pain
• nausea, vomiting
• heartburn
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• bladder irritation and pain, frequent urination.^{1, 2}

NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with or without heart disease or the risk factors for heart disease.¹

Overdose

If you take more than the recommended dose, you could overdose. Call an ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero (000) if you or someone else has any of these symptoms (ambulance officers don’t need to involve the police):

• confusion and disorientation
• drowsiness
• abdominal pain
• blurred vision
• tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• diarrhea
• anxiety and paranoia
• anaemia (low red blood cell count), nausea and vomiting
• vomiting blood that may look like coffee grounds and bowel motions that look like black tar
• severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face
• kidney and liver problems
• seizures/convulsions
• coma and death.^{1, 13, 4}

Long-term effects

It’s best to discuss the side effects of long-term use with a medical practitioner. Regular use of ibuprofen may eventually cause:

• anaemia due to bleeding in the stomach
• impaired hearing
• kidney and liver damage
• bleeding in the stomach and bowels
• increased risk of heart attack.¹

Mixing ibuprofen with other drugs

The effects of taking ibuprofen with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications and other over-the-counter medicines, can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Ibuprofen taken with alcohol can increase the risk of stomach irritation and discomfort.¹

Ibuprofen can alter the effects of some blood pressure medicines and may increase the risk of bleeding if taken with medicines such as warfarin.¹

Use of more than one drug or type of drug consumed at the same time is called polydrug use.

More on Polydrug use

‘Polydrug use’ is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time, or one after another⁵. Polydrug use can involve both illicit drug and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.⁵

Getting help

If your use of ibuprofen is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.

Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs

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If you're looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au