Ibuprofen 400 mg is taken orally and belongs to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class of medicine. It is approved for the treatment of headaches, migraine, nerve pain, toothache, period pain, arthritis, muscle pain, and fever.

You should take this medicine as instructed by your doctor, either before or after meals or before or after sleep. Side effects of this medicine may include abdominal pain, acidity, farting, bloating, etc. Do not stop taking this medicine unless advised by your doctor.

Inform your doctor if you have liver disease or are pregnant, as they may prescribe an alternative medication in such cases.

Ibuprofen 400 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) medicines. It is used for the following indications: 

1. Headache, migraine, nerve pain, 
2. Toothache 
3. Periods pain,  
4. Arthritis and muscle aches 
5. Fever (Pyrexia) 

1. Take ibuprofen exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking ibuprofen without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it. 

More common 

1. Abdominal pain 
2. acid or sour stomach 
3. belching 
4. bloating 
5. cloudy urine 
6. decrease in amount of urine 
7. decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability 
8. diarrhea 
9. difficulty having a bowel movement (stool) 
10. excess air or gas in stomach or intestines 
11. full feeling 
12. heartburn 
13. indigestion 
14. itching skin 
15. pain or discomfort in chest, upper stomach, or throat 
16. pale skin 
17. passing gas 
18. nausea 
19. noisy, rattling breathing 
20. rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin 
21. shortness of breath 
22. swelling of face, fingers, hands, feet, lower legs, or ankles 
23. troubled breathing at rest 
24. troubled breathing with exertion 
25. unusual bleeding or bruising 
26. unusual tiredness or weakness 
27. vomiting 
28. weight gain 

Less common 

1. Abdominal cramps 
2. stomach soreness or discomfort 

Ibuprofen works as a pain reliever (analgesic) and fever reducer (antipyretic) by inhibiting the action of a protein called cyclooxygenase (COX), which is responsible for causing pain and fever. 

Liver Disease

Ibuprofen can cause liver injury. If you have liver disease, inform your doctor so they can prescribe an alternative medicine.

Pregnancy

In 2020, the FDA issued a caution stating that using ibuprofen after 20 weeks of pregnancy can harm the fetal renal system. If you are pregnant, inform your doctor accordingly.

Avoid taking ibuprofen 400 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal: 

Ibuprofen does not interact with any food products, but alcohol should be avoided before and after taking the medicine, as it can increase or decrease the effect of the medicine. 

1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature  
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture  
3. Keep away from the reach of children 

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

(RS)-2-(4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl)propanoic acid 

Daily dose

Take ibuprofen exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor. 

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage. 

Overdose

A dose exceeding 3200 mg per day is considered an overdose and can be lethal. Symptoms of an overdose include seizures, breathlessness, high blood pressure, and liver dysfunction. 

1- Will ibuprofen make you sleepy? 

One of the common side effects of ibuprofen is sleepiness. Therefore, yes, it can cause sleepiness. 

2- Can ibuprofen be taken on an empty stomach? 

Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach lining; therefore, it should be taken after a meal. 

3- Can ibuprofen and paracetamol be taken together? 

Yes, it is safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol. 

4- How much ibuprofen can I take in a day? 

The usual dose for an adult is 200 mg twice a day, and it should only be taken after consulting a doctor. 

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