PharmGKB summary: ibuprofen pathways.

Abstract

Ibuprofen is a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) widely used for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties [1,2]. At low over-the-counter doses (800–1200 mg/day), ibuprofen is indicated to relieve minor pain and inflammation, including headache, muscular aches, toothache, fever, backache, and dysmenorrhea. At prescription doses (1800–2400 mg/day), it is used for the long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other chronic conditions [2]. Ibuprofen has also been used off-label to promote closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm neonates [3]. It is commonly used in pediatric patients for the treatment of acute pain and fever (5–10 mg/kg every 6–8 h) due to its relative safety compared with aspirin and its high efficacy compared with acetaminophen [2]. Prescription doses of ibuprofen (adult: 200–800 mg every 6–8 h; pediatric: 5–10 mg/kg every 6–8 h) have greater antipyretic and analgesic effects in both children and adults compared with commonly used doses of acetaminophen (adult: 500–1000 mg every 6–8 h; pediatric: 10–15 mg/kg every 4–6 h) [4].