Clinical medicine profile
Ibuprofen
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug [EPC]
- Route
- ORAL / TOPICAL / RECTAL / IM (agent-dependent)
- Schedule
- OTC
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Active peptic ulcer / GI bleeding.
- Severe heart failure.
- NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease (aspirin-sensitive asthma) for non-selective agents.
- Third trimester pregnancy (ductus arteriosus, oligohydramnios — class warning).
- Severe renal impairment for many agents.
- Hypersensitivity to NSAIDs.
Precautions
- Warnings Allergy alert: Ibuprofen may cause a severe allergic reaction, especially in people allergic to aspirin.
- Symptoms may include: rash facial swelling asthma (wheezing) hives skin reddening shock blisters If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use and seek medical help right away.
- Stomach bleeding warning: This product contains an NSAID, which may cause severe stomach bleeding.
- The chance is higher if you: take more or for a longer time than directed take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product are age 60 or older take other drugs containing prescription or nonprescription NSAIDs [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] Heart attack and stroke warning: NSAIDs, except aspirin, increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.
- These can be fatal.
- The risk is higher if you use more than directed or for longer than directed.
- Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any other pain reliever/fever reducer right before or after heart surgery Ask a doctor before use if stomach bleeding warning applies to you you have a history of stomach problems, such as heartburn you have high blood pressure, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, asthma, or had a stroke you are taking a diuretic you have problems or serious side effects from taking pain relievers or fever reducers Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are under a doctor's care for any serious condition taking aspirin for heart attack or stroke, because ibuprofen may decrease this benefit of aspirin taking any other drug When using this product take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs Stop use and ask a doctor if you experience any of the following signs of stomach bleeding: feel faint have bloody or black stools vomit blood have stomach pain that does not get better you have symptoms of heart problems or stroke: chest pain slurred speech trouble breathing leg swelling weakness in one part or side of body pain gets worse or lasts more than 10 days fever gets worse or lasts more than 3 days redness or swelling is present in the painful area any new symptoms appear If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.
- It is especially important not to use ibuprofen at 20 weeks or later in pregnancy unless definitely directed to do so by a doctor because it may cause problems in the unborn child or complications during delivery.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
Directions do not take more than directed the smallest effective dose should be used adults and children 12 years and over: take 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours while symptoms persist if pain or fever does not respond to 1 tablet, 2 tablets may be used do not exceed 6 tablets in 24 hours, unless directed by a doctor children under 12 years: ask a doctor
5–10 mg/kg/dose every 6–8 hours (max single dose limits apply); avoid if <3 months or dehydrated without advice.
Avoid in advanced CKD / volume depletion; can precipitate AKI.
- CrCl 60–120: Usual short-course dosing if euvolemic.
- CrCl 30–59: Avoid if possible; short lowest dose only with monitoring.
- CrCl 0–29: Avoid systemic ibuprofen.
Avoid in severe hepatic disease.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- Uses temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: headache toothache backache menstrual cramps the common cold muscular aches minor pain of arthritis temporarily reduces fever Clinical selection for Ibuprofen should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug [EPC].
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Adverse effects
- Dyspepsia, nausea, fluid retention, raised BP.
- Serious: peptic ulcer/bleed, AKI, heart failure exacerbation, severe skin reactions, bronchospasm, hepatitis (rare).
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- Risk-stratify GI and CV before prescribing.
- Prefer topical NSAIDs for local MSK pain when adequate.
- Review after short courses.
- Educate on black stools/haematemesis red flags.
Mechanism & disposition
Inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase [COX-1 and COX-2] enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGH2.
Read complete mechanism
Inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase [COX-1 and COX-2] enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGH2. NSAIDs inhibit cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1 and/or COX-2), reducing prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis. This yields analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects. COX-1 inhibition drives many GI and platelet adverse effects; COX-2 selective agents spare some GI risk but retain CV warnings.
30–60 minutes
6–8 hours
ORAL / TOPICAL / RECTAL / IM (agent-dependent)
of metabolites. Half-lives vary widely (ibuprofen short; naproxen longer; oxicams long).
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
Avoid in third trimester. Earlier pregnancy: use only if needed; prefer paracetamol first-line.
Short-course ibuprofen generally acceptable; avoid chronic high-dose/long half-life agents when possible.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brufen | RADIANCE PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| Brufen 400mg | BAYER EAST AFRICA LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| CapsifenacGel | Afya Index / Retail Reference | gel 1% 20gm | KES 500.00afya_index_book |
| Dawafen | MACLEODS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| Dawafen 400mg | MEDIVET PRODUCTS LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| Ibucos | SURGIPHARM LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| Ibucos 400mg | LABORATORY & ALLIED LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| IBUCOT TABLETS | ELYS CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD | Film-Coated Tablet | Unavailable |
| Ibugesic | DAWA LIMITED | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| Ibugesic 400mg | ELYS CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD | Film-Coated Tablet 400mg | Unavailable |
| IBUJECT Solution for Injection | Tasa Pharma Ltd | Solution For Infusion | Unavailable |
| IBUPROFEN | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | CAPS 200MG 60*S(GOFEN) | KES 59.13daima_biashara_price_list |
| TRIOFEN 400 | ZAIN PHARMA LIMITED | Tablet | Unavailable |
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.