Ibuprofen — Drug Interactions, Alcohol & Pregnancy Guide

Last reviewed: · Source: US FDA drug label database

About Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is one of the most widely used over-the-counter painkillers in the UK. It treats pain, reduces fever, and reduces inflammation. Common forms include tablets (200mg, 400mg), gel (Ibugel), and liquid.

Also sold as: Nurofen, Advil, Motrin, Brufen, Calprofen

Drug class NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
Used for Pain relief, Fever reduction, Inflammation
Max adult dose 400mg three times daily (OTC); up to 600mg three times daily (prescription)
OTC in UK Yes

Ibuprofen and Alcohol

🟡 USE WITH CAUTION

Avoid combining ibuprofen and alcohol — both irritate the stomach lining and together significantly increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

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Ibuprofen in Pregnancy

🔴 AVOID

Avoid ibuprofen in pregnancy — particularly in the third trimester, where it can cause serious complications including premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus.

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Ibuprofen — Drug Combinations

🟢
Ibuprofen + Paracetamol
Yes — ibuprofen and paracetamol can safely be taken together and are often recom…
🟡
Ibuprofen + Aspirin
Generally avoid — ibuprofen can reduce the blood-thinning effect of low-dose asp…
🟢
Ibuprofen + Codeine
Generally safe — ibuprofen and codeine are often combined deliberately in produc…
🔴
Ibuprofen + Warfarin
Avoid — ibuprofen increases bleeding risk and can significantly raise warfarin l…
🟡
Ibuprofen + Metformin
Use with caution — ibuprofen can affect kidney function, which may cause metform…
🟢
Ibuprofen + Amoxicillin
Generally safe — ibuprofen and amoxicillin do not interact significantly and can…
🔴
Ibuprofen + Naproxen
Do not take naproxen and ibuprofen together — they are both NSAIDs and combining…
🟡
Ibuprofen + Sertraline
Sertraline combined with ibuprofen significantly increases the risk of stomach b…
🟡
Ibuprofen + Ramipril
Ibuprofen can blunt ramipril's blood-pressure control and, combined with dehydra…
🟢
Ibuprofen + Doxycycline
Doxycycline and ibuprofen have no significant interaction — you can take ibuprof…
🟡
Ibuprofen + Prednisolone
Prednisolone plus ibuprofen substantially raises the risk of stomach ulcers and …
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Ibuprofen + Fluoxetine
Fluoxetine plus ibuprofen raises stomach-bleeding risk several-fold — fine occas…

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Not sure if Ibuprofen is safe with your other medications?

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