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Medication guide · Common after a work injury: Pain & inflammation

Ibuprofen: uses, appearance and warnings

What the official FDA label says Ibuprofen is used for, what it looks like, and its most important warnings — in plain English, with the label text one click away.

Uses

What the official label says Ibuprofen is used for

The FDA label for Ibuprofen states:

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Ibuprofen tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use ibuprofen. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see WARNINGS ]. Ibuprofen tablets are indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ibuprofen tablets are indicated for relief of mild to moderate pain. Ibuprofen tablets are also indicated for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. …
Read the label's “Indications and usage” section (verbatim)
Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Ibuprofen tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use ibuprofen. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see WARNINGS ]. Ibuprofen tablets are indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ibuprofen tablets are indicated for relief of mild to moderate pain. Ibuprofen tablets are also indicated for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Controlled clinical trials to establish the safety and effectiveness of Ibuprofen tablets in children have not been conducted.

Names & forms

Brand names, forms and strengths

Brand names (from RxNorm; not every brand is still sold): Addaprin, Advil, Caldolor, Counteract IB, Genpril, Ibu, Ibuprohm, Motrin, Neoprofen, Proprinal, Samson 8, Wal-Profen.

Generic name: ibuprofen · RxNorm ID (RxCUI): 5640

Forms and strengths of Ibuprofen listed in RxNorm
FormStrengths listed in RxNorm
Chewable Tablet50 MG, 100 MG
Extended Release Oral Capsule200 MG, 300 MG
Extended Release Oral Tablet800 MG
Injection4 MG/ML, 10 MG/ML, 100 MG/ML
Oral Capsule200 MG, 400 MG
Oral Suspension20 MG/ML, 40 MG/ML
Oral Tablet100 MG, 200 MG, 300 MG, 400 MG, 600 MG, 800 MG
Topical Cream50 MG/ML
Topical Foam50 MG/ML
Topical Gel0.05 MG/MG, 0.1 MG/MG
Topical Spray50 MG/ML

Strengths are listed so you can recognise a product — not as dosing information. Only your prescriber can decide what is right for you.

Appearance

What Ibuprofen looks like

Illustration: white oval tablet, film coated, imprint BI 4BI 4

ibuprofen 400 mg
AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Illustration: white oval tablet, film coated, imprint BI 6BI 6

ibuprofen 600 mg
AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Illustration: white capsule tablet, film coated, imprint BI 8BI 8

ibuprofen 800 mg
AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.

Illustration: white round tablet, imprint IP 464IP 464

ibuprofen 400 mg
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Illustration: white oval tablet, imprint IP 465IP 465

ibuprofen 600 mg
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Illustration: white capsule tablet, imprint IP 466IP 466

ibuprofen 800 mg
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

Illustration based on label data — not a photo; appearance varies by manufacturer. Confirm with your pharmacist.
Appearance of Ibuprofen products from DailyMed product data
StrengthFormColourShapeSizeImprintScoreLabeler
ibuprofen 400 mgtablet, film coatedwhiteoval15 mmBI · 41AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.
ibuprofen 600 mgtablet, film coatedwhiteoval16 mmBI · 61AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.
ibuprofen 800 mgtablet, film coatedwhitecapsule19 mmBI · 81AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc.
ibuprofen 400 mgtabletwhiteround13 mmIP · 4641Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
ibuprofen 600 mgtabletwhiteoval17 mmIP · 4651Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
ibuprofen 800 mgtabletwhitecapsule19 mmIP · 4661Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
ibuprofen 100 mg per 5 mLsuspensionorange————Strides Pharma Science Limited
ibuprofen 400 mgtablet, film coatedwhite“white to off-white”oval14 mmI · 61Ascend Laboratories, LLC
ibuprofen 600 mgtablet, film coatedwhite“white to off-white”oval17 mmI · 71Ascend Laboratories, LLC
ibuprofen 800 mgtablet, film coatedwhite“white to off-white”oval19 mmI · 101Ascend Laboratories, LLC

From the product data in each manufacturer's label on DailyMed. Many companies make Ibuprofen, so your medicine may look different from any shown here. If a pill looks unfamiliar, ask your pharmacist before taking it.

Read the label's “How supplied” section (verbatim)
Ibuprofen tablets, USP are available in the following strengths, colors and sizes: 400 mg: White, oval Shaped, film coated, standard convex debossed with “BI 4” on one side and plain on the other side. Bottles of 100: NDC 11788-008-01 Bottles of 500: NDC 11788-008-05 Bottles of 1250: NDC 11788-008-20 600 mg: White, olive shaped, film coated, standard convex debossed with “BI 6” on one side and plain on the other side. Bottles of 100: NDC 11788-009-01 Bottles of 500: NDC 11788-009-05 Bottles of 1250: NDC 11788-009-20 800 mg: White, capsule shaped, film coated, standard convex debossed with “BI 8” on one side and plain on the other side. Bottles of 100: NDC 11788-010-01 Bottles of 500: NDC 11788-010-05 Bottles of 1250: NDC 11788-010-20 Store at 20°C - 25°C (68° - 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Avoid excessive heat 40°C (104°F). Dispense in a tight, light resistant container as defined in the USP. For Medication Guide, please visit https://aipingpharmaceutical.com/products or call 1-844-374-0016. Manufactured for: AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc. Hauppauge, NY 11788 LB8036 Revised: 07/2026

Safety

Important warnings for Ibuprofen

Boxed warning (verbatim from the FDA label)

Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use. [See WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ]. Ibuprofen tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS ]. Gastrointestinal Risk NSAIDS cause an increased risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal. These events can occur at any time during use and without warning symptoms. Elderly patients are at greater risk for serious gastrointestinal events. [See WARNINGS ].

Contraindications — who should not use it (verbatim)
Ibuprofen tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ibuprofen. Ibuprofen tablets should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients [see WARNINGS, Anaphylactoid Reactions , and PRECAUTIONS, Preexisting Asthma ]. Ibuprofen tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see WARNINGS ].
Warnings and precautions (verbatim excerpt)
CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Clinical trials of several COX-2 selective and nonselective NSAIDs of up to three years duration have shown an increased risk of serious cardiovascular (CV) thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, which can be fatal. Based on available data, it is unclear that the risk for CV thrombotic events is similar for all NSAIDs. The relative increase in serious CV thrombotic events over baseline conferred by NSAID use appears to be similar in those with and without known CV disease or risk factors for CV disease. However, patients with known CV disease or risk factors had a higher absolute incidence of excess serious CV thrombotic events, due to their increased baseline rate. Some observational studies found that this increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events began as early as the first weeks of treatment. The increase in CV thrombotic risk has been observed most consistently at higher doses. To minimize the potential risk for an adverse CV event in NSAID-treated patients, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Physicians and patients should remain alert for the development of such events, throughout the entire treatment course, even in the absence of previous CV symptoms. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious CV events and the steps to take if they occur. There is no consistent evidence that concurrent use of aspirin mitigates the increased risk of serious CV thrombotic events associated with NSAID use. The concurrent use of aspirin and an NSAID, such as Ibuprofen, increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal (GI) events [see WARNINGS ]. Status Post Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery Two large, controlled clinical trials of a COX-2 selective NSAID for the treatment of pain in the first 10-14 days following CABG surgery found an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. NSAIDs are contraindicated in the setting of CABG [see CONTRAINDICATIONS ]. Post-MI Patients Observational studies conducted in the Danish National Registry have demonstrated that patients treated with NSAIDs in the post-MI period were at increased risk of reinfarction, CV-related death, and all-cause mortality beginning in the first week of treatment. In this same cohort, the incidence of death in the first year post MI was 20 per 100 person years in NSAID-treated patients compared to 12 per 100 person years in non-NSAID exposed patients. Although the absolute rate of death declined somewhat after the first year post-MI, the increased relative risk of death in NSAID users persisted over at least the next four years of follow-up. Avoid the use of Ibuprofen tablets in patients with a recent MI unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risk of recurrent CV thrombotic events. If Ibuprofen tablets are used in patients with a recent MI, monitor patients for signs of cardiac ischemia. Hypertension NSAIDs including Ibuprofen tablets, can lead to onset of new hypertension or worsening of preexisting hypertension, either of which may contribute to the increased incidence of CV events. Patients taking thiazides or loop diuretics may have impaired response to these therapies when taking NSAIDs. NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen tablets, should be used with caution in patients with hypertension. Blood pressure (BP) should be monitored closely during the initiation of NSAID treatment and throughout the course of therapy. Heart Failure and Edema The Coxib and traditional NSAID Trialists’ Collaboration meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials demonstrated an approximately two-fold increase in hospitalizations for heart failure in COX-2 selective-treated patients and nonselective NSAID-treated patients compared to placebo-treated patients. In a Danish National Registry study of patients with heart failure, NSAID use increased the risk of MI, hospitalization for heart failure, and death. Additionally, fluid retention and edema have been observed in some patients treated with NSAIDs. Use of Ibuprofen may blunt the CV effects of several therapeutic agents used to treat these medical conditions [e.g., diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)] [See Drug Interactions ]. Avoid the use of Ibuprofen tablets in patients with severe heart failure unless the benefits are expected to outweigh the risk of worsening heart failure. If Ibuprofen tablets are used in patients with severe heart failure, monitor patients for signs of worsening heart failure. Gastrointestinal Effects - Risk of Ulceration, Bleeding, and Perforation NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen tablets, can cause serious gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine, which can be fatal. These serious adverse events can occur at any time, with or without warning symptoms, in patients treated with NSAIDs. Only one in five patients, who develop a serious upper GI adverse event on NSAID therapy, is symptomatic. Upper GI ulcers, gross bleeding, or perforation caused by NSAIDs occur in approximately 1% of patients treated for 3 to 6 months, and in about 2 to 4% of patients treated for one year. These trends continue with longer duration of use, increasing the likelihood of developing a serious GI event at some time during the course of therapy. However, even short-term therapy is not without risk. NSAIDs should be prescribed with extreme caution in those with a prior history of ulcer disease or gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease and/or gastrointestinal bleeding who use NSAIDs have a greater than 10-fold increased risk for developing a GI bleed compared to patients treated with neither of these risk factors. …
Side effects — opening of the label's adverse reactions section
The most frequent type of adverse reaction occurring with Ibuprofen tablets is gastrointestinal. In controlled clinical trials the percentage of patients reporting one or more gastrointestinal complaints ranged from 4% to 16%. In controlled studies when Ibuprofen tablets were compared to aspirin and indomethacin in equally effective doses, the overall incidence of gastrointestinal complaints was about half that seen in either the aspirin- or indomethacin-treated patients. Adverse reactions observed during controlled clinical trials at an incidence greater than 1% are listed in the table. Those reactions listed in Column one encompass observations in approximately 3,000 patients. More than 500 of these patients were treated for periods of at least 54 weeks. …
Drug interactions — opening of the label's section
ACE-inhibitors: Reports suggest that NSAIDs may diminish the antihypertensive effect of ACE-inhibitors. This interaction should be given consideration in patients taking NSAIDs concomitantly with ACE-inhibitors. Aspirin Pharmacodynamic studies have demonstrated interference with the antiplatelet activity of aspirin when ibuprofen 400 mg, given three times daily, is administered with enteric-coated low-dose aspirin. The interaction exists even following a once-daily regimen of ibuprofen 400 mg, particularly when ibuprofen is dosed prior to aspirin. The interaction is alleviated if immediate-release low-dose aspirin is dosed at least 2 hours prior to a once-daily regimen of ibuprofen; however, this finding cannot be extended to enteric-coated low-dose aspirin [see Clinical Pharmacology/Pharmacodynamics ]. …

This is not a complete list of warnings or side effects. Read the full label and talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. To report a side effect to the FDA, use MedWatch.

Resources

If you were hurt at work

Whether a medicine is right for you is a decision for your prescriber. If you were injured on the job, these educational guides explain the next steps and who can help.

Sources

Label text is quoted from the AiPing Pharmaceutical, Inc. label (label version effective August 11, 2026), retrieved October 20, 2026. Other manufacturers' labels for the same medicine may differ in wording.

If anything here differs from the label that came with your medicine, follow your label and your pharmacist.

Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. This page does not tell you whether to take a medicine or how much to take. Medical emergency? Call 911. Poison emergency: call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.