What Is Brufen Tablets Used For?

Brufen contains ibuprofen and belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation in various conditions.

Primary Uses

Brufen is used to treat different types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis; muscle and bone injuries such as sprains, strains, lower back pain, rheumatism, and tendonitis like tennis elbow; swelling and pain after setting broken or dislocated bones; menstrual cramps; pain following surgery; dental pain; and fever (high temperature).

How It Works

Although Brufen can relieve the symptoms of pain and inflammation, it will not cure your condition. It usually begins to work within a few hours but several weeks may pass before you feel the full effects of the medicine.

How to Take Brufen Tablets

Your doctor will tell you exactly how many Brufen tablets to take each day and when to take them. Always take the exact amount your doctor prescribes.

Dosage Instructions

Adults and children over 12 years: The usual daily dose is one tablet taken three or four times a day. In acute conditions, your doctor may prescribe two tablets three times a day. Do not take more than six tablets in one day. For period pain: Take one to two tablets at the first sign of pain or menstrual bleeding, then one tablet every 4 to 6 hours as necessary. Do not take more than four tablets in one day. Take Brufen with or straight after food with a full glass of water to help reduce the possibility of an upset stomach.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

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
• loss of appetite
• heartburn or pain in the upper part of your stomach
• mouth ulcers
• cramps, wind, constipation or diarrhea
• headache
• sleepiness
• dizziness
• buzzing or ringing in the ears or other trouble hearing
• sleeplessness
• changes in mood (anxiety, depression, confusion, nervousness)
• a rash that always appears in the exact same spot on your skin

Important Warnings

There are several important warnings to be aware of before taking Brufen. Some people should not take this medicine at all.

Who Should Not Take Brufen Tablets

Do not use Brufen if you are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin or any other NSAID medicine, or any ingredients listed; if you have vomited blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; if you are bleeding from the rectum, have black sticky bowel motions or bloody diarrhea; if you have a condition resulting in an increased tendency to bleed; if you have a peptic ulcer or recent history of one; if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; if you have severe heart failure, severe liver disease, or severe kidney disease.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Check with your doctor if you have heart disease or high blood pressure; heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcer or other stomach problems; severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome; asthma; vision problems; liver or kidney disease; tendency to bleed or other blood problems; bowel or intestinal problems; heart failure; swelling of ankles or feet; diarrhea; currently have an infection; or plan to have surgery.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Like most NSAID medicines, Brufen is not recommended during pregnancy as it may affect your developing baby and may also impair female fertility. Brufen is not recommended while breastfeeding as it passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Brufen and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking.

• aspirin, salicylates or other NSAID medicines
• warfarin (blood clot prevention)
• lithium (depression treatment)
• SSRIs such as sertraline (depression treatment)
• medicines for high blood pressure or heart conditions
• digoxin (heart failure treatment)
• diuretics (fluid tablets)
• methotrexate (arthritis and cancer treatment)
• corticosteroids such as prednisone, cortisone
• ciclosporin or tacrolimus (immune system medicines)
• aminoglycosides (infection treatment)
• Gingko biloba (herbal blood thinner)
• quinolone antibiotics
• zidovudine (HIV treatment)
• colestyramine (high cholesterol treatment)
• sulfonylureas (diabetes medicines)
• voriconazole or fluconazole (fungal infection treatment)
• mifepristone (pregnancy termination)

Alcohol & Driving

Brufen may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol.

Alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Brufen may cause some side effects including dizziness, headache and stomach problems. Drinking alcohol with Brufen might make these side effects worse.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Brufen affects you. Brufen may cause dizziness or light-headedness, drowsiness or blurred vision in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

Storage

Keep the tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Overdose Information

If you think that you have used too much Brufen, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Overdose symptoms may include feeling sick or vomiting, stomach pain, convulsions, feeling tired or drowsy, dizziness or unconsciousness, headache or ringing in the ears, unusual eye movements, shivering, confusion, breathing difficulties, low blood pressure, or low or rapid heart beat.

Frequently Asked Questions