How Long Does Ibuprofen Stay in Your System? What You Need to Know

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat pain and reduce fever independently and as part of combination drugs. The effects of ibuprofen last about 4 to 6 hours, but it can take up to 10 hours for the body to eliminate the drug.[1]

Find out how long ibuprofen stays in your system, safe dosing information, and precautions you should take with ibuprofen.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is an NSAID drug that treats pain, fever, and inflammation, such as headaches, menstrual cramps, and arthritis. It’s available as a prescription and over-the-counter under brands like Motrin. Ibuprofen is also a pain reliever in combination with drugs like cold and flu medication. It is formulated as a liquid, tablet, or capsule.

The drug has been available in the US as a prescription since 1974. It was approved as an over-the-counter medication in 1984. It’s generally safe, well-tolerated, and accessible.

How Does Ibuprofen Work?

Ibuprofen is a cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibitor. COX enzymes make prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals that cause inflammation, pain, and fever. These drugs block prostaglandins to provide temporary relief from mild to moderate pain.

The typical dosages of ibuprofen for adults are:[2]

• 400 mg to 800 mg 3 or 4 times a day for arthritis
• 200 mg to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for mild to moderate pain
• 400 mg every 4 hours as needed for menstrual cramps

While there’s no specific timeline for taking ibuprofen, taking the lowest dose necessary to relieve pain is important. You shouldn’t take ibuprofen continuously for more than 10 days.

How Long Does Ibuprofen Pain Relief Last?

Ibuprofen relieves pain in about 20 or 30 minutes, with maximum effects occurring around 1 to 2 hours.[3] For people with chronic pain, it can take days of ibuprofen doses before the pain-relieving effects begin.

One dose of ibuprofen can provide pain relief for 4 to 6 hours. However, several factors can affect how ibuprofen is absorbed, including taking ibuprofen with food. An empty stomach can bring faster symptom relief but can increase the risk of side effects like indigestion and upset stomach.

How Long Does Ibuprofen Stay in Your System?

Ibuprofen’s effects occur quickly, as does ibuprofen’s elimination. The half-life of ibuprofen is 1.9 to 2.2 hours, which is the time it takes for a drug’s active ingredients to be reduced by half.[4] It takes 4 or 5 half-lives for your body to eliminate ibuprofen and stay in your system for about 10 hours.

Side Effects and Risks of Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen is considered safe, but it’s not without side effects and risks. Some of the common side effects include:[5]

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn
• Tinnitus
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Itching

There is a risk of serious side effects, including:[6]

• Fluid buildup in the extremities
• Cloudy or discolored urine
• Liver damage
• Flu-like symptoms
• Back pain
• Impaired kidney function

In some cases, ibuprofen can cause an allergic reaction with hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, and throat.

Ibuprofen can cause complications with long-term use, including damage to vital organs and gastric ulcers. Taking ibuprofen in high doses or over long periods can contribute to heart attack and stroke, particularly in people with existing heart problems.

All NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, have the potential to damage the kidneys. The risk is more pronounced in people with existing kidney problems. The risk to the liver is low, but liver damage can occur in extremely rare cases.

Like any drug, it’s possible to overdose on ibuprofen if you exceed the recommended doses. The symptoms of ibuprofen overdose include:[7]

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Lethargy
• Stomach pain
• High blood pressure
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Kidney or liver failure
• Cardiac arrest
• Coma
• Metabolic acidosis

NSAID overdoses require emergency medical care to reduce the risk of complications. NSAID overdoses aren’t usually fatal, but there is a risk of permanent damage to the organs.

Ibuprofen Interactions

Ibuprofen can interact with several medications, including:[8]

• Antidepressants
• Cyclosporine
• Lithium
• Blood thinners like warfarin
• Heart or blood pressure medications
• Steroid medications

This list doesn’t include all possible interactions. Taking ibuprofen with certain drugs can worsen side effects or increase your risk of bleeding or side effects. Ensure you speak to your doctor about any medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications and supplements.

Though ibuprofen has a short half-life, other drugs may not. You have to be careful of possible interactions even if you stop taking a drug, as some may still be in your system and can cause serious side effects.

Is Ibuprofen Addictive?

Though some pain medications are known for their addictive potential, ibuprofen is not an addictive drug. It’s not controlled and can be purchased over the counter at most pharmacies and stores.

However, ibuprofen can be misused because of severe pain. The intention of misusing ibuprofen isn’t to get high or achieve any effect similar to a drug of abuse but to relieve pain. This can cause people to take too much ibuprofen at once or too frequently, increasing the risk of side effects. There have been cases of ibuprofen being used in intentional overdoses.

Keep in mind that ibuprofen can be combined with drugs that do have an addiction potential, such as codeine. You can become addicted to these drugs, though it’s not directly due to the ibuprofen itself but the other ingredients.

Take Precautions with Ibuprofen Use

Ibuprofen’s effects begin shortly after taking it, and the drug doesn’t stay in the body long. Still, there is potential to take too much ibuprofen or combine it with drugs that can cause dangerous interactions, such as antidepressants and blood thinners. You should always discuss your medications with your doctor to ensure safety.