Ibuprofen (Brufen, Nurofen)

Ibuprofen is a type of anti inflammatory drug. It is called a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID). It has many brand names including Brufen and Nurofen but it is also a part of many other painkiller combination medicines. You’ll need to check the packet to see how much ibuprofen each tablet or capsule contains. Generally they are either 200mg or 400mg, but there are also 600mg tablets available.

NSAIDs are especially good at relieving bone and muscle pain. You may have them with stronger painkillers to give you the best pain relief. Ibuprofen controls pain by blocking messages to the brain that tell us we have pain. It also reduces swelling (inflammation) that presses on nerves. It also can bring a temperature down.

You can find detailed information about cancer and pain control in our section about coping physically with cancer.

Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions on when to take ibuprofen and how much to have. The dose will depend on the amount you need to control your pain. The normal dose for adults is 400mg every 4 to 6 hours. This means that you can take up to 1,600 to 2,400 mg a day, divided into 3 or 4 doses. You shouldn't take any more than 2,400 mg in 24 hours.

Ibuprofen is a tablet that you take with milk or food. It is important not to take it on an empty stomach, as it can irritate the stomach lining and may cause bleeding. Your doctor can prescribe ibuprofen or you can buy it over the counter.

If you have a history of asthma, heart, kidney or liver problems check with your doctor before you take it.

More than 10 in every 100 people have one or more of these. Side effects from ibuprofen are often mild.

• Heartburn or indigestion – you can prevent this by drinking milk or eating a snack with each dose of ibuprofen
• Feeling or being sick usually wears off after a few days, but tell your doctor if it continues

Between 1 and 10 in every 100 people have one or more of these.

• Stomach ache – tell your doctor if you have this
• Blood in your stools – stop taking ibuprofen and tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhoea

Fewer than 1 in 100 people have these.

• Stomach ulcer – if you have black and tarry stools or vomit blood, stop taking ibuprofen and tell your doctor immediately
• Swelling of your ankles and legs due to fluid build up
• Headaches
• Mood changes including anxiety, depression and mood swings
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• An allergic reaction – causing a skin rash, swelling of the tongue and lips and difficulty in breathing
• Kidney changes that are unlikely to cause symptoms – the kidneys usually go back to normal when you stop taking ibuprofen, but your doctor or nurse can check how well your kidneys are working with regular blood tests
• A skin rash
• Hearing problems, including ringing in your ears
• Raised blood pressure
• Blurred vision

The side effects above may be mild or more severe. A side effect may get better or worse through your course of treatment, or more side effects may develop as the course goes on. This depends on

• How many times you've had the drug before
• Your general health
• The amount of the drug you have (the dose)
• Other drugs you are having

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about all your side effects so that they can help you manage them. You should have a contact number for your specialist nurse, clinic or ward nurse. You can ring them if you have any questions or problems. They can give you advice or reassure you. If in doubt, call.

Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbal supplements and other over the counter remedies – some drugs can react together.