Ibuprofen, << Y BYOO proh fehn or `Y` byoo PROH fehn, >> is a drug that reduces fever and relieves such common problems as headaches, muscle aches, and menstrual pain. It also reduces the swelling and tenderness of inflammation due to arthritis and other conditions. Ibuprofen works by blocking the formation of prostaglandins, hormonelike chemicals found throughout the body (see Prostaglandin).
Many people take ibuprofen instead of aspirin because it is thought to cause fewer side effects. But like aspirin, ibuprofen can irritate the stomach and cause minor stomach bleeding and nausea. People who are allergic to aspirin are also usually allergic to ibuprofen.
Ibuprofen is the most widely used of a group of drugs called propionic acid derivatives. These drugs were developed during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. At first, ibuprofen could be obtained only with a doctor’s prescription. In 1984, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted the sale of ibuprofen without a prescription. The drug’s trade names include Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin.
