Learn about the side effects of ibuprofen, from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals. Relieves headache, body aches, backache, arthritis, cramps & fever. NSAID caplets, multi-symptom relief. Adults 12+. 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. Despite the common belief that you must take ibuprofen with food, you can safely take low-dose ibuprofen (up to 1200 mg daily in divided doses for 1 to 7 days) on an empty stomach, and this provides faster pain relief than taking ibuprofen with food. It’s common to take ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours. The maximum dose for OTC ibuprofen is 1,200 mg per day. The maximum dose for prescription ibuprofen is up to 3,200 mg per day, depending on what you’re taking it for. Talk to your healthcare team before taking ibuprofen to make sure it’s safe for you. 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. Ibuprofen tablets, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is available in 400 mg, 600 mg, and 800 mg tablets for oral administration. Relieves headache, body aches, backache, arthritis, cramps & fever. NSAID caplets, multi-symptom relief. Adults 12+. Ibuprofen is used to relieve pain from various conditions such as headache, dental pain, menstrual cramps, muscle aches, or arthritis. It is also used to reduce fever and to relieve minor aches and pain due to the common cold or flu. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NHS information about ibuprofen for adults, including what it's used for, who can use it, how to use it and side effects.