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Taking or using ibuprofen with other medicines and herbal supplements

Cautions with other medicines

Ibuprofen does not mix well with some medicines.

Ibuprofen applied to the skin is less likely to affect other medicines than if you take it as tablets, capsules, granules or liquid.

For safety, tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking any type of ibuprofen:

Taking ibuprofen with other painkillers

It's safe to take ibuprofen with paracetamol or codeine.

But do not take ibuprofen with similar painkillers like aspirin or naproxen without talking to a pharmacist or doctor.

Ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen belong to the same group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you take them together, it may increase the chance of you getting side effects like stomach ache.

NSAIDs are also used in medicines you can buy from pharmacies, such as cough and cold remedies. Before taking any other medicines, check the label to see if they contain aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs.

Mixing ibuprofen with herbal remedies and supplements

It's best not to take gingko biloba with ibuprofen as it can increase the chance of bleeding.

There's not enough information to say that other herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with ibuprofen. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

Important: Medicine safety

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Page last reviewed: 18 November 2021
Next review due: 18 November 2024