How does ibuprofen work?

Answer 1

Ibuprofen and ArthritisIbuprofin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), like aspirin, that is used to reduce the inflammation that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

ibuprofen is in a class of drugs called Nonsteroidal AntiInflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS). The NSAID class includes aspirin, naprosyn (Alleve, and many others. Ibuprofen is a nonspecific cycloxygenase inhibitor. Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that changes a specific fatty molecule (arachidonic acid) into other chemicals (prostaglandins) that cause inflammation. NSAIDS block this conversion and thereby decrease inflammation. Ibuprofen is nonspecific, blocking both of the two types of cyclooxygenase, called COX1 and and COX2. Because it blocks COX1, ibuprofen is damaging to the stomach, as is aspirin.

More input from others:

• My GP prescribed 400mg every 6 hours before my appointment with a bone specialist. It greatly helped the burning pain I've been having. (The bone scan I was given showed that my back was inflamed. This has decreased greatly since taking the ibuprofin treatment.)

Answer 2

Ibuprofen is an NSAID which is believed to work through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), thus inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis. There are at least 2 variations of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2), ibuprofen inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2. It appears that its analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory activity are achieved principally through COX-2 inhibition; whereas COX-1 inhibition is responsible for its unwanted effects on platelet aggregation and the GI mucosa.

Answer 3

Ibuprofen is supposed to be pain all over your body as where tylenol, aspirin, etc are made to just cure your brains pain but I have found that either Ibuprofen or Tylenol both work for pretty much anything and everything in serious times of need when the household doesn't have one or the other.

Answer 4

Aspirin is not just an analgesic, it is also an anti-inflammatory drug.

So is ibuprofen. As a pharmacist, I'm more likely to recommend ibuprofen for Arthritis because it's not as likely to have the blood-thinning properties of aspirin, and not as likely to have allergic reactions.

Answer 5

muscle pain can be caused by inflammation. ipubrofen is an anti-inflammatory painkiller.

Answer 6

it doesn't 'cure' Back pain it just eliminates the pain for a limited amount of time

Answer 7

yes