Brufen Pain (Ibuprofen)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Brufen Pain Used For?
Brufen Pain contains ibuprofen, which belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It provides temporary relief from various types of pain and inflammation while also reducing fever.
Primary Uses
Brufen Pain is used for temporary relief of pain and inflammation from headaches (including migraine and tension headaches), sinus pain, toothache, dental procedures, backache, muscle aches, period pain, sore throat, tennis elbow, arthritis, rheumatic pain, and aches associated with colds and flu. It also reduces fever.
How It Works
As an NSAID, Brufen Pain works by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals in your body.
Good to know: Brufen Pain is not addictive and is available from your pharmacist without a prescription.
How to Take Brufen Pain
Take Brufen Pain by mouth with water. Follow the dosage instructions carefully and do not exceed the recommended amount.
Dosage Instructions
Adults and children from 12 years: Take one tablet every 4 to 6 hours as necessary. Do not take more than 3 tablets in 24 hours. Do not give to children under 12. Do not use for more than 3 days at a time unless advised by a doctor.
Important: Do not exceed the recommended dose. Excessive use can be harmful and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or liver damage.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach cramps, wind, constipation, or diarrhea
- Heartburn or upper stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Buzzing or ringing in ears
- Headache
- Sleeplessness
- Mood changes (depression, confusion, nervousness)
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Fixed skin rash in same spot
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Bleeding from back passage or black/bloody stools
- Easy bleeding or bruising, purple blotches under skin
- Signs of anemia (tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, pale appearance)
- Severe blisters and bleeding (Stevens Johnson Syndrome)
- Severe sunburn symptoms
- Heart attack risk, fast or irregular heartbeats
- Severe stomach pain or tenderness
- Severe or persistent headache
- Headache with stiff neck, fever, feeling unwell
- Frequent infections, fever, chills, sore throat
- Eye problems (blurred vision, sore red eyes, itching)
- Yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice)
- Unusual weight gain, ankle swelling, fluid retention
- Tingling in hands and feet
- Asthma, wheezing, breathing difficulties
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue affecting swallowing/breathing
- Hives, itching, skin rash
- Stomach ache with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting
- Fainting
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where you should not use Brufen Pain, and conditions you should discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Who Should Not Take Brufen Pain
Do not use if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin, NSAIDs, or any ingredients; have asthma sensitive to aspirin or NSAIDs; have or recently had peptic ulcers; have recently vomited blood or had black/bloody stools; have bleeding disorders; have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; have severe kidney, heart, or liver disease; or are being treated for pain after heart bypass surgery.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, stomach problems, vision problems, liver or kidney disease, bleeding problems, bowel problems, heart failure, ankle swelling, or if you’re over 65 years old. Also inform them if you currently have an infection or plan to have surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take during pregnancy or if planning to become pregnant, except on doctor’s advice. Do not use at all in the last three months of pregnancy as it may affect your developing baby and impair female fertility. Not recommended while breastfeeding.
Elderly Patients: If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor as this medicine may increase the risk of stomach or heart problems.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Brufen Pain and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.
- Warfarin or clopidogrel (blood thinners)
- Lithium (mood disorder treatment)
- SSRIs like sertraline (depression treatment)
- Blood pressure and heart condition medicines
- Methotrexate (arthritis and cancer treatment)
- Heart failure medicines like digoxin
- Steroids like prednisone, prednisolone, cortisone
- Cyclosporine or tacrolimus (immune system medicines)
- Aminoglycosides (infection treatment)
- Quinolone antibiotics
- Mifepristone (abortion medicine)
- Zidovudine (HIV treatment)
- Aspirin, salicylates, and other NSAIDs
- Diabetes medicines
- Probenecid (gout treatment)
- Phenytoin (epilepsy treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Brufen Pain, as it may affect your ability to operate vehicles or machinery safely.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol, as it may interact with your medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Brufen Pain affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness in some people. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Brufen Pain, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brufen Pain should not be used for more than 3 days at a time, except on medical advice from your doctor.
Do not take Brufen Pain with any other medicines containing ibuprofen, aspirin, or other anti-inflammatory medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Many headache and pain medicines contain these ingredients, so always check the labels.
No, Brufen Pain is not addictive according to the medication information.
Since Brufen Pain is taken as needed for pain relief (every 4 to 6 hours), simply take your next dose when you need pain relief. Do not take extra tablets to make up for a missed dose.
You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol, as it may interact with your medication.
If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about taking Brufen Pain, as it may increase the risk of unwanted effects such as stomach or heart problems.
Brufen Pain may cause dizziness in some people. If this happens, do not drive or operate machinery until the dizziness passes.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.