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Ibuprofen (Advil, Midol 200, Motrin) is used to relieve the pain, tenderness, inflammation (swelling), and stiffness caused by arthritis and gout. It isalso used to reduce fever and to relieve headaches, muscle aches, menstrual pain, aches and pains from the common cold, backache, and pain after surgery or dental work.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Ibuprofen comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken three or four times a day for arthritis or every 4-6 hours as needed for pain. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ibuprofen exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed by the package label or prescribed by your doctor. If you think that you need more medication to relieve your symptoms, call your doctor.

If you obtained ibuprofen without a prescription, do not take it for more than 3 days for fever or 10 days for pain without talking to a doctor.

If you are taking ibuprofen for pain and the painful area becomes red or swollen, call your doctor.

Before taking ibuprofen,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or other medications for pain or arthritis, or any other drugs
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water pills'), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for arthritis or diabetes, methotrexate, metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. Do not take aspirin or acetaminophen when using ibuprofen unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, heart, or kidney disease; high blood pressure; any stomach problems; or any other gastrointestinal disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ibuprofen, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ibuprofen.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• if you drink 3 or more alcohol drinks every day, ask your doctor if you should take ibuprofen. You should not drink alcoholic beverages while taking ibuprofen.

Although side effects from ibuprofen are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• stomach pain or cramps
• upset stomach
• nervousness
• constipation
• headache
• dizziness
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• gas

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• bloody diarrhea or black, tarry stools
• ringing in the ears
• blurred vision
• bloody vomit
• skin rash
• itching

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to ibuprofen.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.