NHS information about ibuprofen for adults, including what it's used for, who can use it, how to use it and side effects. 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. 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 (Advil, Motrin) treats minor aches and pains caused by the common cold, headaches, toothaches, back or muscle aches. 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 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 a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can help you feel better when you have a headache, muscle aches or other minor aches and pains. It also treats conditions that cause inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis. Learn about the side effects of ibuprofen, from common to rare, for consumers and healthcare professionals. 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. View ibuprofen information, including dose, uses, side-effects, renal impairment, pregnancy, breast feeding, contra-indications and important safety information.