Molecular structure of ibuprofen3D model of (R)-ibuprofen
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely marketed under various trademarks including Act-3, Advil, Brufen, Motrin, Nuprin, and Nurofen; a standing joke about some athletes' regular use has produced "Vitamin I" as a slang term for it. It is used for relief of symptoms of arthritis, primary dysmenorrhoea, and fever; and as an analgesic, especially where there is an inflammatory component. Ibuprofen was developed by the research arm of Boots Group. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Ibuprofen
Idarubicin
Idebenone
IFEX
Iloprost
Imatinib mesylate
Imdur
Imipenem
Imipramine
Imiquimod
Imitrex
Imodium
Indahexal
Indapamide
Inderal
Indocin
Indometacin
Infliximab
INH
Inosine
Intal
Interferon gamma
Intralipid
Invanz
Invirase
Iontocaine
Iotrolan
Ipratropium bromide
Iproniazid
Irbesartan
Iressa
Irinotecan
Isocarboxazid
Isoflurane
Isohexal
Isoleucine
Isomonit
Isoniazid
Isoprenaline
Isordil
Isosorbide
Isosorbide dinitrate
Isosorbide mononitrate
Isotretinoin
Itraconazole
Ivermectin
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Clinical use

Low doses of ibuprofen (200 mg, and sometimes 400 mg) are available over the counter (OTC) in most countries. Ibuprofen has a dose-dependent duration of action of approximately 4–8 hours, which is longer than suggested by its short half-life. The recommended dose varies with body mass and indication. Generally, the oral dose is 200–400 mg (5–10 mg/kg in children) every 4–6 hours, up to a usual maximum daily dose of 800–1200 mg. Under medical direction, a maximum daily dose of 3200 mg may sometimes be used.

Indications

Approved clinical indications for ibuprofen include:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (DMARDs should also be considered)
  • Osteoarthritis, ibuprofen can reduce pain and, if present, joint inflammation
  • Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, alone or with corticosteroids
  • Morbus Bechterew (spondylitis ankylosans) together with corticosteroids
  • Rheumatic fever, together with antibiotic therapy
  • Acute gout attack, ibuprofen is not useful for chronic treatment
  • Primary dysmenorrhoea (ibuprofen proved superior to placebo and propoxyphen, and at least as effective as aspirin)
  • Fever
  • Pericarditis, chiefly after myocardial infarction, to reduce pain, fever and inflammation
  • Minor aches and pains such as toothache, backache, fever and pain associated with common flu, symptomatic relief of influenza, shingles, and postoperative pain
  • Sporting injuries and pain after mild to moderate trauma
  • Headache including mild to moderate migraine attack

Off-Label and investigational use

  • As with other NSAIDs, ibuprofen may be useful in the treatment of severe orthostatic hypotension (PMID 7041104)
  • In some studies, ibuprofen showed superior results compared to placebo in the prophylaxis of Alzheimer's disease, when given in low doses over a long time (PMID 16195368). Further studies are needed to confirm the results, before ibuprofen can be recommended for this indication.
  • Ibuprofen has been associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease, and may delay or prevent Parkinson's disease. Aspirin, other NSAIDs, and acetaminophen had no effect on the risk for Parkinson's (PMID 16240369). Further research is warranted before recommending ibuprofen for this use.

Ibuprofen lysine

In Europe and Australia, ibuprofen lysine (ibuprofenlysinat, the lysine salt of ibuprofen) is licensed for treatment of the same conditions as ibuprofen. Ibuprofen lysine is said to have a more rapid onset of action compared to base ibuprofen.

Mechanism of action

Ibuprofen is an NSAID which is believed to work through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX); thus inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. As with other NSAIDs, ibuprofen inhibits platelet aggregation, but is not used therapeutically for this action since it is a minor and reversible effect.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Pseudodementia associated with use of ibuprofen - Brief Article
From Alternative Medicine Review, 2/1/03 by AL Bernstein

Bernstein AL, Werlin A. Ann Pharmacother 2003;37:80-82.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of dementing syndrome resulting from ibuprofen use. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old white man with normal mental status became confused, was lost in familiar places, and showed short-term memory loss after beginning a therapeutic regimen of ibuprofen 600 mg 3 times daily for osteoarthritis in anticipation of embarking on a foreign trip. Symptoms of dementia began within 1 week after taking ibuprofen and resolved completely within 1 week after the ibuprofen regimen was stopped. This pattern was repeated 6 months later, when the patient again traveled abroad. Consistently before, during, and alter these events, the patient took atenolol, clonidine, lisinopril, aspirin, vitamin C, lecithin, vitamin E, and multivitamins. DISCUSSION: Using the Naranjo probability scale, we reasoned that the patient's dementia-like syndrome could be attributed to the use of ibuprofen because pseudodementia appeared after the suspected drug was administered, improved when the drug was discontinued, reappeared when the drug was readministered, had no apparent alternative cause, manifested similarly after each exposure to ibuprofen, and was confirmed by the family's observation after both episodes. Objective causality assessment revealed that the adverse drug reaction was probable. CONCLUSIONS: Use of ibuprofen must be considered during clinical evaluation of any patient with new onset of dementing illness. The Naranjo probability scale may be clinically useful for evaluating other pharmaceutical agents that may be contributing to development of dementia-like conditions.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Thorne Research Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group

Return to Ibuprofen
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay