IBUPROFEN

65/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Lil' Drug Store Products, Inc.

Moderate Safety Concerns with Ibuprofen Use

598,685 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About IBUPROFEN

IBUPROFEN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Lil' Drug Store Products, Inc.. Based on analysis of 598,685 FDA adverse event reports, IBUPROFEN has a safety score of 65 out of 100. This moderate score indicates a notable volume of adverse event reports that patients and providers should be aware of. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for IBUPROFEN include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, PAIN, FATIGUE, NAUSEA, HEADACHE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for IBUPROFEN.

AI Safety Analysis

Ibuprofen has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100, placing it in the elevated concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 598,685 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Lil' Drug Store Products, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Pain, Fatigue. Of classified reports, 64.8% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Ibuprofen reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.

The most common reactions are pain-related, indicating potential efficacy issues. Serious reactions such as kidney injury and acute kidney injury are reported, warranting caution.

Patients taking Ibuprofen should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Ibuprofen can interact with other NSAIDs and may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 65/100

Ibuprofen received a safety concern score of 65/100 (elevated concern). This is based on a 64.8% serious event ratio across 262,304 classified reports. The score accounts for 598,685 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This elevated score indicates a notable proportion of serious adverse events and warrants careful monitoring.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE24,334 reports
PAIN18,858 reports
FATIGUE17,867 reports
NAUSEA17,350 reports
HEADACHE15,813 reports
ARTHRALGIA12,950 reports
DYSPNOEA12,540 reports
VOMITING12,456 reports
DIARRHOEA12,133 reports
DIZZINESS10,739 reports
RASH10,699 reports
OFF LABEL USE10,400 reports
PYREXIA9,461 reports
PRURITUS9,417 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY8,278 reports
ANXIETY7,916 reports
ASTHENIA7,877 reports
MALAISE7,693 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY7,607 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER7,577 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED7,283 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT7,159 reports
INSOMNIA6,992 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY6,984 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY6,941 reports
JOINT SWELLING6,875 reports
BACK PAIN6,728 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS6,554 reports
URTICARIA6,388 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING6,381 reports
DEPRESSION6,320 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN6,244 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED6,171 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION5,868 reports
FALL5,748 reports
SINUSITIS5,655 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED5,551 reports
ALOPECIA5,537 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE5,395 reports
COUGH5,304 reports
DECREASED APPETITE5,275 reports
CHEST PAIN5,183 reports
HYPERTENSION5,126 reports
SWELLING5,086 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS5,024 reports
PNEUMONIA5,019 reports
INFECTION4,979 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE4,835 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE4,808 reports
SOMNOLENCE4,716 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA4,683 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL4,647 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS4,589 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS4,477 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION4,440 reports
PARAESTHESIA4,325 reports
INJURY4,294 reports
CONSTIPATION4,256 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS4,238 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER4,227 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE4,185 reports
OVERDOSE4,173 reports
RENAL FAILURE4,141 reports
ARTHROPATHY4,120 reports
BLISTER4,108 reports
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION4,006 reports
DISCOMFORT3,967 reports
CONTUSION3,919 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE3,919 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED3,795 reports
STOMATITIS3,780 reports
DEATH3,744 reports
INTENTIONAL OVERDOSE3,652 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION3,617 reports
ERYTHEMA3,552 reports
HYPOTENSION3,477 reports
MIGRAINE3,415 reports
MYALGIA3,377 reports
ANAEMIA3,363 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING3,360 reports
DRUG INTERACTION3,339 reports
IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME3,284 reports
DYSPEPSIA3,232 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION3,168 reports
SYNOVITIS3,155 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL3,090 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS3,088 reports
PERICARDITIS3,073 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT DECREASED3,021 reports
GLOSSODYNIA2,984 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED2,980 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS2,963 reports
SLEEP DISORDER2,944 reports
SUICIDE ATTEMPT2,942 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT2,933 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE2,931 reports
MUSCLE INJURY2,915 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE2,908 reports
CONTRAINDICATED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED2,900 reports
ANGIOEDEMA2,895 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious adverse events (64.8%)
  • Reports of acute kidney injury and renal failure
  • Multiple respiratory issues including dyspnea and pneumonia

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 153,738, Male: 79,870, Unknown: 1,169. The most frequently reported age groups are age 44 (3,993 reports), age 43 (3,447 reports), age 57 (3,332 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 262,304 classified reports for IBUPROFEN:

  • Serious: 169,962 reports (64.8%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 92,342 reports (35.2%)
Serious 64.8%Non-Serious 35.2%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female153,738 (65.5%)
Male79,870 (34.0%)
Unknown1,169 (0.5%)

Reports by Age

Age 443,993 reports
Age 433,447 reports
Age 573,332 reports
Age 583,321 reports
Age 593,315 reports
Age 533,254 reports
Age 603,245 reports
Age 503,241 reports
Age 543,240 reports
Age 623,213 reports
Age 613,198 reports
Age 553,191 reports
Age 633,122 reports
Age 563,118 reports
Age 523,019 reports
Age 492,963 reports
Age 512,952 reports
Age 642,836 reports
Age 652,826 reports
Age 482,776 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Ibuprofen can interact with other NSAIDs and may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Ibuprofen, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, pain, fatigue, nausea, headache. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Follow prescribed dosages and do not exceed recommended limits to avoid serious adverse events. Be aware of potential interactions with other medications and consult a healthcare provider before use. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor ibuprofen safety, and updates are regularly issued. Patients should report any severe reactions to their healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Ibuprofen?

The FDA has received approximately 598,685 adverse event reports associated with Ibuprofen. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Ibuprofen?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Ibuprofen include Drug Ineffective, Pain, Fatigue, Nausea, Headache. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (24,334 reports), Pain (18,858 reports), Fatigue (17,867 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Ibuprofen.

What percentage of Ibuprofen adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 262,304 classified reports, 169,962 (64.8%) were classified as serious and 92,342 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Ibuprofen (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Ibuprofen break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 153,738, Male: 79,870, Unknown: 1,169. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Ibuprofen?

The most frequently reported age groups for Ibuprofen adverse events are: age 44: 3,993 reports, age 43: 3,447 reports, age 57: 3,332 reports, age 58: 3,321 reports, age 59: 3,315 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Ibuprofen?

The primary manufacturer associated with Ibuprofen adverse event reports is Lil' Drug Store Products, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Ibuprofen?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Ibuprofen include: Arthralgia, Dyspnoea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Dizziness. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Ibuprofen?

You can report adverse events from Ibuprofen to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Ibuprofen's safety score and what does it mean?

Ibuprofen has a safety concern score of 65 out of 100 (elevated concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Ibuprofen reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.

What are the key safety signals for Ibuprofen?

Key safety signals identified in Ibuprofen's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious adverse events (64.8%). Reports of acute kidney injury and renal failure. Multiple respiratory issues including dyspnea and pneumonia. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Ibuprofen interact with other drugs?

Ibuprofen can interact with other NSAIDs and may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Ibuprofen.

What should patients know before taking Ibuprofen?

Follow prescribed dosages and do not exceed recommended limits to avoid serious adverse events. Be aware of potential interactions with other medications and consult a healthcare provider before use.

Are Ibuprofen side effects well-documented?

Ibuprofen has 598,685 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions are pain-related, indicating potential efficacy issues. The volume of reports for Ibuprofen reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Ibuprofen?

The FDA continues to monitor ibuprofen safety, and updates are regularly issued. Patients should report any severe reactions to their healthcare provider. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to IBUPROFEN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AspirinWarfarinRofecoxib
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.