Uploaded July 2018 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Ibuprofen
(RS)-Ibuprofen Structural Formula V1.svg
(R)-ibuprofen
Clinical data
Pronunciation /ˈaɪbjuːproʊfɛn/, /aɪbjuːˈproʊfən/, EYE-bew-PROH-fən
Trade names Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, others
Synonyms isobutylphenylpropionic acid
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a682159
License data
EU EMA: by INN
US FDA: Ibuprofen
Pregnancy
category
AU: C
US: C (Risk not ruled out)
D (US) at ≥30 weeks of gestation, due to the potential for premature closure of the ductus arteriosus
Routes of
administration by mouth, rectal, topical, and intravenous
ATC code
C01EB16 (WHO) G02CC01 (WHO) M01AE01 (WHO) M02AA13 (WHO) R02AX02 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status
AU: OTC
CA: OTC
UK: General sales list (GSL, OTC)
US: OTC (Rx-only at higher doses)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 80–100% (by mouth),[2] 87% (rectal)
Protein binding 98%[1]
Metabolism Liver (CYP2C9)[1]
Onset of action 30 min[3]
Elimination half-life 2–4 h[4]
Excretion Urine (95%)[1][5]
Identifiers
IUPAC name[show]
CAS Number
15687-27-1 ☑
PubChem CID
3672
IUPHAR/BPS
2713
DrugBank
DB01050 ☑
ChemSpider
3544 ☑
UNII
WK2XYI10QM
KEGG
D00126 ☑
ChEBI
CHEBI:5855 ☑
ChEMBL
CHEMBL521 ☑
PDB ligand
IBP (PDBe, RCSB PDB)
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.152 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
Formula C13H18O2
Molar mass 206.29 g/mol
3D model (JSmol)
Interactive image
Chirality Racemic mixture
Density 1.03 g/ml g/cm3
Melting point 75 to 78 °C (167 to 172 °F)
Boiling point 157 °C (315 °F)
Solubility in water 0.021 mg/mL (20 °C)
SMILES[show]
InChI[show]
(verify)
Ibuprofen is a medication in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class that is used for treating pain, fever, and inflammation.[6] This includes painful menstrual periods, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis.[6] It may also be used to close a patent ductus arteriosus in a premature baby.[6] It can be used by mouth or intravenously.[6] It typically begins working within an hour.[6]
Common side effects include heartburn and a rash.[6] Compared to other NSAIDs it may have fewer side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding.[7] It increases the risk of heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure.[6] At low doses, it does not appear to increase the risk of heart attack; however, at higher doses it may.[7] Ibuprofen can also worsen asthma.[7] While it is unclear if it is safe in early pregnancy,[6] it appears to be harmful in later pregnancy and therefore is not recommended.[8] Like other NSAIDs, it works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins by decreasing the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase.[6] Ibuprofen might be a weaker anti-inflammatory than other NSAIDs.[7]
Ibuprofen
(RS)-Ibuprofen Structural Formula V1.svg
(R)-ibuprofen
Clinical data
Pronunciation /ˈaɪbjuːproʊfɛn/, /aɪbjuːˈproʊfən/, EYE-bew-PROH-fən
Trade names Advil, Motrin, Nurofen, others
Synonyms isobutylphenylpropionic acid
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a682159
License data
EU EMA: by INN
US FDA: Ibuprofen
Pregnancy
category
AU: C
US: C (Risk not ruled out)
D (US) at ≥30 weeks of gestation, due to the potential for premature closure of the ductus arteriosus
Routes of
administration by mouth, rectal, topical, and intravenous
ATC code
C01EB16 (WHO) G02CC01 (WHO) M01AE01 (WHO) M02AA13 (WHO) R02AX02 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status
AU: OTC
CA: OTC
UK: General sales list (GSL, OTC)
US: OTC (Rx-only at higher doses)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 80–100% (by mouth),[2] 87% (rectal)
Protein binding 98%[1]
Metabolism Liver (CYP2C9)[1]
Onset of action 30 min[3]
Elimination half-life 2–4 h[4]
Excretion Urine (95%)[1][5]
Identifiers
IUPAC name[show]
CAS Number
15687-27-1 ☑
PubChem CID
3672
IUPHAR/BPS
2713
DrugBank
DB01050 ☑
ChemSpider
3544 ☑
UNII
WK2XYI10QM
KEGG
D00126 ☑
ChEBI
CHEBI:5855 ☑
ChEMBL
CHEMBL521 ☑
PDB ligand
IBP (PDBe, RCSB PDB)
ECHA InfoCard 100.036.152 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
Formula C13H18O2
Molar mass 206.29 g/mol
3D model (JSmol)
Interactive image
Chirality Racemic mixture
Density 1.03 g/ml g/cm3
Melting point 75 to 78 °C (167 to 172 °F)
Boiling point 157 °C (315 °F)
Solubility in water 0.021 mg/mL (20 °C)
SMILES[show]
InChI[show]
(verify)
Ibuprofen is a medication in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class that is used for treating pain, fever, and inflammation.[6] This includes painful menstrual periods, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis.[6] It may also be used to close a patent ductus arteriosus in a premature baby.[6] It can be used by mouth or intravenously.[6] It typically begins working within an hour.[6]
Common side effects include heartburn and a rash.[6] Compared to other NSAIDs it may have fewer side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding.[7] It increases the risk of heart failure, kidney failure, and liver failure.[6] At low doses, it does not appear to increase the risk of heart attack; however, at higher doses it may.[7] Ibuprofen can also worsen asthma.[7] While it is unclear if it is safe in early pregnancy,[6] it appears to be harmful in later pregnancy and therefore is not recommended.[8] Like other NSAIDs, it works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins by decreasing the activity of the enzyme cyclooxygenase.[6] Ibuprofen might be a weaker anti-inflammatory than other NSAIDs.[7]
