Ibuprofen
This drug should be avoided, where possible, by those with asthma as there is a risk of an asthmas attack, urticaria (hives), angioedema (swelling) or rhinitis (inflammation inside the nose).1
You must not combine aspirin with other NSAIDs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxin.
Versus Paracetamol
Ibuprofen is a more appropriate pain killer, compared to paracetamol, for;
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Snake Oils
A number of products use ibuprofen as a main ingredient but make claims the product targets or resolves particular types of pain, usually at a significantly higher cost compared to a generic.
- Feminax - sold at nine times the cost of a generic 16 pack of ibuprofen when we checked, in the UK, in January 2025
Side Effects
When to Avoid Use - Interactions/Contraindications
Age Restrictions
Do not give ibuprofen to a child who is under 3 months, weighs under 5kg, has chickenpox or is dehydrated.1
Do not alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol, unless a health professional such as a doctor or nurse tells you to.1
Further Reading
References
Metadata
Created:
Last Updated: 2026-01-27
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High temperature (fever) in children - retrieved 2025-09-19 ↩↩↩