Ibuprofen Tablets 400mg

What are Ibuprofen tablets?

Ibuprofen tablets are an everyday painkiller belonging to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) class of drugs. They are commonly used to treat symptoms of arthritis, toothaches, muscle aches, and headaches.
Ibuprofen also comes as a liquid for those who struggle to swallow tablets and a gel which can be directly applied to the area that is causing you pain.

How to buy Ibuprofen tablets online

You can use our online pharmacy service to buy Ibuprofen tablets online in the UK with collection, next day and free delivery available. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. As Ibuprofen tablets in a pack of 84 are a 'Pharmacy-only' (P) medicine a pharmacist needs to have a consultation to make sure treatment is appropriate before you can purchase Ibuprofen.
Upon completion of your order, our pharmacist will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.

What can Ibuprofen be used for?

Ibuprofen can be taken for a variety of aches and pains including but not limited to:

• Arthritis – reduces inflammation and swelling in the joints, which can relieve pain and improve mobility in people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Toothaches – reduces pain and inflammation caused by a toothache.
• Muscle aches – reduces muscle pain and inflammation, making it effective for relieving muscle aches caused by exercise or strain.
• Headaches – reduces inflammation and swelling that can cause headaches, making it effective for relieving tension headaches and migraines.
• Fever – helps regulate body temperature and reduces fever.

How Ibuprofen tablets work

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are involed in pain and inflammation. Prostaglandins are produced in response to injury which is associated with the symptoms of redness, swelling, pain and fever. By reducing the levels of prostaglandin paracetamol can reduce the amount of pain we experience.
Iburpofen is also thought to work by inhibiting the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX). There are two types of COX enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is responsible for producing prostaglandins as well as protecting the lining of the stomach. COX-2 is responsible for producing prostaglandins that contribute to inflammation and pain. Ibuprofen inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2, though it is more selective for COX-2. By reducing COX activity it is very effective at reducing pain, inflammation and fever. However as it reduces COX-1 it can cause the stomach to be less protected, resulting in stomach upsets as a common side effect.

How to take Ibuprofen tablets

Ibuprofen 400mg tablets are only indicated for those who are 12+ and the recommended dose is ONE tablet three times a day.
It is important to take Ibuprofen with food to help protect the stomach and to take Ibuprofen for the shortest possible time at the lowest dose.
Ibuprofen can be taken for chronic pain, but you may need to take a proton-pump inhibitor such as Omeprazole or Lansoprazole to help protect the stomach.

Ibuprofen side effects

Like any medication Ibuprofen can cause side effects these include:

1. Stomach irritation
2. Heartburn
3. Stomach bleeding
4. Nausea
5. Dizziness
6. Trapped wind

Taking Ibuprofen with food can help with some of these side effects. If you experience any of these side effects and they do not go away, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
You may consider using Ibuprofen gel instead of the tablets as you are less likely to experience side effects when using the gel.

More rare but serious side effects include:

1. Severe indigestion
2. Severe heartburn
3. Vomiting blood or dark particles
4. Blood in your stools
5. Frequent sore throat,
6. Blood in your urine
7. Slow or irregular heart beat
8. Sgns of jaundice such as yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes

Call 111 or your doctor if you experience any of the mentioned. If you experience a high temperature, feel sick or start being sick, get confused, have a headache, neck stiffness and sensitivity to light or experience chest pains call 999.

Who cannot take Ibuprofen

It is generally well tolerated and suitable for most adults and children. However it may not be suitable if you:

1. Have previously had an allergic reaction to Ibuprofen.
2. Have a history of asthma attacks after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs
3. Have a history of or active stomach ulcers or bleeding
4. Suffer from liver problems
5. Suffer from kidney problems
6. Have an increased chance of bleeding
7. Have severe heart failure
8. Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
9. Have chickenpox or shingles
10. Have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

They should also be used with caution in those who are 65 years of age and older.

Ibuprofen and pregnancy

It is not recommended to be taken while pregnant or if you are trying to get pregnant as it can affect your baby's circulation and kidneys

Ibuprofen and breastfeeding

Ibuprofen is safe to take while breastfeeding at recommended doses a tiny amount may pass through breast milk into your baby but it is unlikely to do any harm.

Ibuprofen and fertility

If you are trying to get pregnant you should avoid any anti-inflammatory medicines, like Ibuprofen. These medicines in large doses or when taken for a long period of time can affect ovulation and make it more difficult for you to get pregnant. If you are trying to become pregnant and you take Ibuprofen, talk to your doctor to discuss your options.

Ibuprofen interactions

The following medicines interact with Ibuprofen, it may not suitable or to only be used with caution if you take:

1. Other non-steriodal anti-inflammatories - you will need to stop taking them before starting Ibuprofen
2. Anti-anticoagulant medicine such as warfarin, apixaban or rivaroxaban
3. Corticosteroids - such as prednisolone
4. Diuretics - such as furosemide
5. Medicines for heart problems
6. Medicines for high blood pressure
7. Antidepressants - such as citalopram
8. Medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis - such as methotrexate

Please note: As this medication is NSAID it is important you do not take any other anti-inflammatory medicines.
You should also be aware that any herbal or alternative remedies you take may also interact with this medication and cause side effects. If you are taking any herbal or alternative remedies make sure to mention them to your GP, or on the consultation form so we can make sure they are safe to take together.
For a full list of interactions see: Ibuprofen interactions.

Ibuprofen and other painkillers

Ibuprofen can be taken with other painkillers as long as they do not belong to the class of NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors such as Naproxen, Aspirin, Diclofenac, Celecoxib or Etoricoxib. Be wary if you purchase any combination medicines such as cold & flu as they may contain a NSAID, speak to the pharmacist if you are unsure.
Ibuprofen can be safely taken with Paracetamol and codeine as these work differently to Ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen vs Naproxen

They are both NSAIDs and so they are both similar in many ways.
The main difference between the two is the duration of action. Ibuprofen is short acting with its effect lasting around 4-6 hours, compared to naproxen which is long acting with its effect lasting around 8-12 hours. Naproxen is more likely to cause an upset stomach than ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen starts working within 30 minutes, compared to naproxen which takes up to 1 hour.
They are both effective at providing pain relief and a dose of 440mg naproxen is approximately equivalent to a dose of 400mg ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen is the most appropriate NSAID for children.
As both of them are NSAIDs they both increase the risk of cardiovascular effects with higher doses for this reason you should not exceed 1000mg of Naproxen per day or 1200mg of Ibuprofen.
They also share the same side effects including heartburn, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness and itching.
Although naproxen is more likely to cause a stomach upset than ibuprofen, ibuprofen is still likely to cause stomach upsets. You should always take them with food and for as short a period as possible.

Ibuprofen tablets alternatives

Alternatives to Ibuprofen tablets include:

• Naproxen tablets
• Ibuprofen gel

• Paracetamol tablets
• Co-codamol tablets
• Co-codamol soluble tablets
• Paramol tablets
• Solapdeine Plus capsules – these contain caffeine
• Solapdeine Plus soluble tablets – these contain 12.8mg of codeine.
• Solapdeine Max tablets – these contain 12.8mg of codeine.
• Solapdeine Max Soluble tablets – these contain 12.8mg of codeine.

More Ibuprofen tablets information

If you would like more information, you can find the SPC: Ibuprofen tablet SPC.