Ibuprofen
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)
- period pain
Forms/Types
- lysine
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 version.
- Feminax - sold at nine times the cost of a generic 16 pack of ibuprofen when we checked, in the UK, in January 2025. Roughly 75% higher than the normal dose of 200mg but taking two standard 200mg doses would be almost the same.
Side Effects
When to Avoid Use - Interactions/Contraindications
This drug should be avoided, where possible, by those with asthma as there is a risk of an asthma attack, urticaria (hives), angioedema (swelling) or rhinitis (inflammation inside the nose).1
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: 2026-06-23
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High temperature (fever) in children - retrieved 2025-09-19 ↩↩↩