Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. This medicine does not cure arthritis and will help you only as long as you continue to take it .

In addition, ibuprofen can be used to treat fever, menstrual cramps, and other conditions as determined by your doctor .

This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription 

For safe and effective use of this medicine, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than ordered by your doctor. Taking too much of this medicine may increase the chance of unwanted effects, especially in elderly patients .

When used for severe or continuing arthritis, this medicine must be taken regularly as ordered by your doctor in order for it to help you. This medicine usually begins to work within one week, but in severe cases up to two weeks or even longer may pass before you begin to feel better. Also, several weeks may pass before you feel the full effects of this medicine .

To lessen stomach upset, you may take this medicine with food or milk .

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Abdominal pain

acid or sour stomach

belching

bloating

cloudy urine

decrease in amount of urine

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

diarrhea

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

excess air or gas in stomach or intestines

full feeling

heartburn

indigestion

itching skin

pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat

pale skin

passing gas

nausea

noisy, rattling breathing

rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin

shortness of breath

swelling of face, fingers, hands, feet, lower legs, or ankles

troubled breathing at rest

troubled breathing with exertion

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

weight gain

Less common

Abdominal cramps

stomach soreness or discomfort

Rare

Agitation

back, leg, or stomach pains

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, loosening of skin

blood in urine or stools

bloody, black, or tarry stools

blurred vision

burning feeling in chest or stomach

change in vision

chest pain

chills

clay-colored stools

coma

confusion

constipation

cough or hoarseness

dark urine

decreased urine output

depression

difficulty breathing

difficulty swallowing

dilated neck veins

dizziness

dry mouth

extreme fatigue

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

fever with or without chills

frequent urination

general body swelling

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

hair loss, thinning of hair

headache

hives or welts

hostility

impaired vision

increased blood pressure

increased volume of pale, dilute urine

irregular breathing

irritability

itching

joint or muscle pain

lab results that show problems with liver

lethargy

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

muscle twitching

nosebleeds

painful or difficult urination

pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pinpoint red spots on skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

redness of skin

seizures

severe abdominal pain, cramping, burning

severe and continuing nausea

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips

stiff neck or back

stomach upset

stupor

swollen or painful glands

tenderness in stomach area

thirst

tightness in chest

unpleasant breath odor

upper right abdominal pain

vomiting of blood

vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds

wheezing

yellow eyes and skin

Symptoms of overdose

Bluish lips or skin

difficulty sleeping

disorientation

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

drowsiness to profound coma

hallucination

lightheadedness or fainting

mood or other mental changes

muscle tremors

not breathing

rapid, deep breathing

restlessness

slow or irregular heartbeat

stomach cramps

sudden fainting

sweating

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears

hearing loss

nervousness

Rare

Crying

depersonalization

discouragement

dry eyes

dysphoria

euphoria

feeling sad or empty

lack of appetite

loss of interest or pleasure

mental depression

paranoia

quick to react or overreact

rapidly changing moods

runny nose

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sleeplessness

sneezing

stuffy nose

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

unable to sleep

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

This medicine may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely in people who already have heart disease. People who use this medicine for a long time might also have a higher risk .

This medicine may cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. These problems can happen without warning signs. This is more likely if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, if you are over 60 years old, if you are in poor health, or if you are using certain other medicines (a steroid or a blood thinner) .

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, loosening of skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, white spots in mouth or on lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness .

Possible warning signs of some serious side effects that can occur during treatment with this medicine may include swelling of the face, fingers, feet, and/or lower legs; severe stomach pain, black, tarry stools, and/or vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; unusual weight gain; yellow skin or eyes; decreased urination; bleeding or bruising; and/or skin rash. Also, signs of serious heart problems could occur such as chest pain, tightness in chest, fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual flushing or warmth of skin, weakness, or slurring of speech. Stop taking this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you notice any of these warning signs .

This medicine may also cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Although this is rare, it may occur often in patients who are allergic to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, wheezing, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in skin color of the face; very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse; hive-like swellings on the skin; and puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes. If these effects occur, get emergency help at once .

Some people who have used this medicine had symptoms of meningitis. If you have fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck or back while using this medicine, check with your doctor right away .

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away .

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after your treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) .

Before having any kind of surgery or medical tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. It may be necessary for you to stop treatment for a while, or to change to a different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug before your procedure .