Ibuprofen (Motrin)

• Generic name: Ibuprofen
• Brand names: Advil, Brufen, Motrin, Nurofen, IBU
• Pharmacologic category: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug
• FDA approved: September 19, 1974
• Pregnancy risk factor: C

Ibuprofen belongs to a class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Ibuprofen is used to relieve the symptoms of a wide range of illnesses such as headaches, backache, neuralgia, migraine, cold and flu symptoms, arthritis; dental rheumatic and muscular pain.

Ibuprofen lysine is indicated for closure of a patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants. The lysine salt makes ibuprofen more soluble in water.

Common adverse effects include: nausea, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal ulceration/bleeding, raised liver enzymes, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, salt and fluid retention, hypertension.

• Onset of action: Analgesic: 30-60 minutes; Anti-inflammatory: 7 days
• Duration of action: 4-6 hours
• Metabolism: Hepatic
• Elimination half-life:
  Children 3 months to 10 years: 1.6 ± 0.7 hours
  Adults: 2-4 hours
• Excretion: Urine (1% as free drug); some feces

• Relatively low risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Ibuprofen appears to have the lowest incidence of gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions of all the non-selective NSAIDs.
• Reduces the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease. According to Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute on Aging, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease may be reduced by up to 60 percent with frequent consumption of ibuprofen over two or more years, and that use for an even shorter period may reduce risk by 30 percent. Researchers in that study caution, however, that consistent use of ibuprofen can cause kidney failure. In a conflicting article published in the American Journal of Medical Science in 1990, authors believe ibuprofen itself is not an independent predictor of risk of kidney damage; however, when taken by patients 65 years or older or who have coronary artery disease, the risk factor increases.
• Less cardiovascular side effects.
• Relatively inexpensive compared to other NSAIDs.

• High potential for drug interactions. May diminish the cardioprotective effect of aspirin.
• Taking ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin around the time of conception or early in pregnancy elevates the risk of miscarriage.
• Usually requires to be taken 3-4 times per day.

• Cystic fibrosis
• Gout
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Ibuprofen has three types of action: anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and antipyretic (fever-reducing).

It is believed to work through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), thus inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. There are at least 2 variations of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2 ), ibuprofen inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2. It appears that its analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activity are achieved principally through COX-2 inhibition; whereas COX-1 inhibition is responsible for its unwanted effects on platelet aggregation and the GI mucosa.

Last modified: October, 2011