NHS information about ibuprofen for adults, including what it's used for, who can use it, how to use it and side effects. Ibuprofen is a pain reliever and fever reducer used to temporarily relieve minor aches and pains. Ibuprofen is also used to temporarily reduce fever. Learn about side effects, dosages, drug interactions, and more. Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury. Ibuprofen is a pain medicine used to manage mild to moderate pain, fever, inflammation, menstrual cramps, and types of arthritis. Common side effects are drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and ringing in the ears. Ibuprofen is one of the most popular over-the-counter medications used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Many people rely on it for headaches, muscle aches, or minor injuries. While it’s effective, like any medicine, Ibuprofen can cause side effects. Ibuprofen is used primarily to treat fever (including post-vaccination fever), mild to moderate pain (including pain relief after surgery), painful menstruation, osteoarthritis, dental pain, headaches, and pain from kidney stones. Overview: Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever, pain, and swelling. It works by blocking certain substances in the body that cause pain, inflammation, and fever. Common side effects include stomach. Prescription ibuprofen is used to relieve pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints) and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints). Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild to moderate pain, and helps to relieve symptoms of arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or juvenile arthritis), such as inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Don’t take more than 1,200 milligrams of ibuprofen a day, unless directed by a provider. If you need it longer than 10 days, seek medical attention.