What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen, which is more commonly marketed as Advil and Motrin, is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
NSAID are a group of medications that have analgesic (pain reducing), antipyretic (fever-reducing), and anti-inflammatory effects on the people who take them. The reason they are called “no steroidal” is to distinguish them from other medications containing steroids, which can have the same effects as NSAID’s, but also have many other uses. Ibuprofen and other NSAID medications, such as Aspirin and Naproxen, are different than others that have similar properties as they are non-narcotic drugs.
Ibuprofen Uses
One of the main uses of Ibuprofen is pain relief. This can include pain caused by straining a muscle, tendonitis (inflammation in tendons), or bursitis, which is the inflation of a sac filled with fluid between a tendon and the skin or bones. Ibuprofen is also used to relieve pain after a procedure, headaches, toothaches, knee pain, back pain, and foot pain.
Ibuprofen is sometimes also used to treat symptoms of arthritis such as pain, stiffness, and swelling. This drug is however not a cure for arthritis, but rather a pain reliever. Women will also use it to treat painful menstrual periods. Ibuprofen can also be used as a fever relief.
