Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory painkiller for headaches, muscle and joint pain, period pain and fever, sold here as tablets in 200mg, 400mg and 600mg strengths.
What ibuprofen does
Ibuprofen is a painkiller that also calms swelling. It belongs to the NSAID group — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which ease pain and inflammation without steroids. It is the active ingredient in Nurofen and in plenty of own-brand tablets. It helps with headaches, toothache, period pain, back and neck pain, strains, sprains and the stiff, sore joints of arthritis, and it brings down a fever, which is why it turns up in cold and flu remedies.
When tissue is damaged or inflamed, enzymes called cyclooxygenase make prostaglandins — chemical messengers that sharpen pain signals and widen blood vessels so the area swells. Ibuprofen blocks those enzymes, so less prostaglandin is made: pain quietens, swelling settles and body temperature comes down. It acts through the whole body, not just at the sore spot.
Taking ibuprofen tablets
Adults usually take 200mg to 400mg every four to six hours. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. If it leaves you with heartburn or a grumbling stomach, take it with or straight after a meal, or with milk. Leave at least four hours between doses, and do not take it on top of another NSAID — aspirin included — or a cold and flu remedy that already contains ibuprofen.
Side effects to expect
Indigestion, heartburn and stomach pain are what people notice most, along with nausea, bloating, dizziness and headache; these are usually mild and pass. For a small number of people, ibuprofen irritates the stomach lining enough to cause an ulcer or bleeding, and black tarry stools or vomit with blood in them need urgent treatment. A rash or wheezing can mean sensitivity to the drug, and daily use over months can nudge blood pressure up and strain the kidneys.
Medicines that clash with it
Warfarin and other blood thinners, aspirin, steroid tablets, the SSRI type of antidepressant, and the ACE inhibitors and diuretics used for blood pressure and heart failure all interact with ibuprofen. So do lithium and methotrexate, whose levels in the blood it can raise. Most of these clashes come down to a greater chance of stomach bleeding or extra pressure on the kidneys.
Buying ibuprofen tablets here
One ibuprofen listing is sold here: Ibuprofen tablets in 200mg, 400mg and 600mg. All three are plain tablets to swallow, with no capsules, syrups or gels. 200mg is a standard single dose, 400mg is the one people reach for when the pain is stronger, and 600mg is the largest of the three. Ibuprofen also sits in the painkillers category. Keep the tablets in their blister or bottle, somewhere dry and out of direct sun.
Sources
- Pain | MedlinePlus — National Library of Medicine
- Chronic pain - about, causes and management - Healthdirect — Healthdirect Australia
Can I order Ibuprofen online in Hong Kong?
Ibuprofen can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists Ibuprofen tablets in 200mg, 400mg and 600mg, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for pain and inflammation. Every order ships in plain, unbranded packaging with nothing on the outside about the contents.
How much does Ibuprofen cost?
Ibuprofen is priced per pack: its page lists every strength and pack size with the current price in HKD or your chosen currency.
Do I need a prescription to order Ibuprofen?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order ibuprofen. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for ibuprofen?
Advil, Brufen and Motrin are brand names of ibuprofen, which is also sold as Ibugesic and Nurofen. Here, ibuprofen can be bought online as ibuprofen tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
Can I take ibuprofen with paracetamol?
Yes. They are different medicines that work in different ways, so one can be taken alongside the other when a single painkiller is not enough. Watch out for combination products, though — many cold, flu and period remedies already contain ibuprofen, and it is easy to take more than you meant to.
What is the difference between the 200mg, 400mg and 600mg tablets?
The number is how much ibuprofen each tablet holds; the medicine is the same. 200mg is a standard single dose for an adult, 400mg is the usual step up for stronger pain, and 600mg is the largest tablet here, kept for pain that needs more than a standard dose.
Should I take ibuprofen with food?
If it gives you heartburn or a sore stomach, take it with or straight after a meal, or with a glass of milk. Food does not stop ibuprofen working, though it can slow its absorption a little. A full glass of water with each tablet is worth doing either way.
Can I drink alcohol with ibuprofen?
Alcohol and ibuprofen both irritate the stomach lining, so drinking heavily while you are taking it raises the chance of bleeding and ulcers. A single drink with a dose is unlikely to be a problem, but regular heavy drinking alongside regular ibuprofen is a poor mix.
Can I take ibuprofen if I have asthma?
Some people with asthma are sensitive to NSAIDs and find ibuprofen brings on wheezing or a tight chest. The reaction is more likely if aspirin or another NSAID has caused it before. For people with that sensitivity, paracetamol is the usual alternative.