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Key takeaways
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs used for pain relief and inflammation. Aspirin also prevents blood clots and is not recommended for children due to the risk of Reye Syndrome.
Ibuprofen can be used in children as young as 6 months, while aspirin is generally not recommended for children due to the risk of Reye Syndrome.
Both drugs have similar side effects, including gastrointestinal issues and potential for serious health risks like heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems.
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and ibuprofen are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications relieve pain and reduce inflammation by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, which produce prostaglandins that trigger pain and swelling. Aspirin also prevents blood clots. Both are available over the counter in brand and generic forms, and ibuprofen is also available by prescription in higher doses. This article compares single-ingredient aspirin and ibuprofen.
What are the main differences between aspirin and ibuprofen?
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both members of the drug class called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Both medicines are available in brand-name and generic forms. Common brand names of aspirin include Bayer and Ecotrin. Common brand names of ibuprofen include Advil and Motrin. Both are available in a variety of dosing forms to suit individual preferences.
While ibuprofen can be given to children as young as 6 months old, aspirin typically is not recommended for children. This is because aspirin use in children during or after a viral illness is associated with Reye Syndrome, a serious condition that can cause brain swelling, liver damage, and death.
Main differences between aspirin and ibuprofen |
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|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | Ibuprofen | |
| Drug class | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) |
| Brand/generic status | Brand and generic | Brand and generic |
| What is the brand name? | Bayer, Ecotrin, and others | Advil, Motrin |
| What form(s) does the drug come in? | Tablet, enteric-coated tablet, capsule, chewable tablet, rectal suppository | Tablet, capsule, chewable tablet, oral suspension |
| What is the standard dosage? | Varies | Varies |
| How long is the typical treatment? | Varies by indication | Varies by indication |
| Who typically uses the medication? | Adults | Adults and children 6 months and older |
Conditions treated by aspirin and ibuprofen
Aspirin and ibuprofen are commonly used to treat pain and fever from common colds, and other conditions such as headache, toothache, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. Additionally, aspirin can be used for acute coronary syndrome—a sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart, for example, during a heart attack. In this case, a 325 mg non-enteric-coated aspirin tablet should be chewed and swallowed after calling 911. Aspirin can also be used in certain patients to prevent stroke and heart attack.
Low-dose aspirin, generally 81 mg, is often used to help prevent heart problems in people who have had a heart attack or stroke. Low-dose aspirin may be considered in certain adults aged 40- 59 with cardiovascular risk factors who are not at increased risk of bleeding. Low-dose aspirin is not routinely recommended to prevent heart disease in adults over 60 years.
Because everyone has a unique medical history and different risk factors, patients should consult their healthcare provider for questions about using aspirin to prevent heart attack and stroke. The decision about whether to use aspirin as preventive medicine should be made by the patient and the healthcare provider.
Is aspirin or ibuprofen more effective?
When deciding which medication to take, one must consider the medication’s intended purpose. For example, your doctor may recommend that you take aspirin to prevent blood clots or other heart conditions. Ibuprofen is not recommended for this purpose. Another example is a child with a fever. Ibuprofen can be used in infants as young as 6 months old, while aspirin is not usually used in children or teenagers.
If you are an adult looking for a medication to treat mild to moderate pain, you may wonder which drug is more effective. NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen are similarly effective in relieving pain. However, Tylenol (acetaminophen—not an NSAID) may be a better first choice in certain cases because it helps relieve pain and has fewer side effects, making it generally well-tolerated.
In terms of gastrointestinal side effects, aspirin tends to be more upsetting to the stomach than ibuprofen. Because of this, ibuprofen may be recommended over aspirin for conditions such as back or dental pain. However, either drug (or any NSAID) may cause stomach trouble. If you are going to take aspirin or ibuprofen, you may want to ask your healthcare provider whether you should also take a medicine to help protect your stomach. For example, a proton pump inhibitor such as Nexium (esomeprazole) is sometimes used to lower the risk of developing a stomach ulcer from NSAID medication in adults who are at risk for developing a stomach ulcer (for example, adults who are 60 years and older and/or who have a history of stomach ulcers or other risk factors as determined by the healthcare provider).
The most effective medication for you can only be determined by your healthcare provider, who can take into account your age, medical history, symptoms, and any medications you already take that may interact with aspirin or ibuprofen. Some people cannot take either aspirin or ibuprofen due to certain health conditions or drug interactions. In this case, the healthcare provider may recommend Tylenol (acetaminophen) or another medication.
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Coverage and cost comparison of aspirin vs. ibuprofen
As OTC drugs, aspirin and ibuprofen are typically not covered by commercial insurance plans or Medicare Part D plans. However, there may be exceptions, such as in certain state Medicaid plans. However, prescription-strength ibuprofen is generally covered by insurance and Medicare prescription plans. You can always use a SingleCare card to save on your ibuprofen prescription. If, however, you want to save on the over-the-counter (OTC) version of aspirin or ibuprofen, you are welcome to use the free SingleCare card—accompanied by a prescription from your healthcare professional, which is needed for the pharmacy to process the discount.
With SingleCare savings, you can reduce your out-of-pocket cost for low-dose aspirin from about $20 to around $11. Or, if you are getting prescription-strength ibuprofen, you can use a free SingleCare card to reduce the cost from about $76 to as low as $3. Your pharmacist can help you compare prices and save the most money.
Coverage and cost of aspirin vs. ibuprofen |
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|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | Ibuprofen | |
| Typically covered by insurance? | No | Rx strength is typically covered; OTC is not |
| Typically covered by Medicare Part D? | No | Rx strength is typically covered; OTC is not |
| Quantity | 90, 81 mg tablets | 30, 800 mg tablets (Rx strength) |
| Typical Medicare copay | Varies | Varies |
| SingleCare cost | $11 at Kroger or Harris Teeter | $3 at Walmart |
Side effects of aspirin vs. ibuprofen
Common side effects
Common side effects of both aspirin and ibuprofen include:
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset or pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Increased levels of uric acid
- Bleeding and bruising
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Delayed ovulation (which may affect fertility in women trying to conceive)
Serious side effects
Some examples of serious side effects of both drugs may include*:
- Life-threatening allergic or skin reactions
- Swelling
- Asthma attacks in people who have asthma
- Bleeding/stomach bleeding
- Low red blood cells (anemia)
- Liver or kidney problems
Certain symptoms can indicate severe or life-threatening side effects and require immediate medical attention, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting blood/blood in the stools
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Itching
- Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Skin rash or blistering skin with fever
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
- Unusual weight gain
- Flulike symptoms
- Swelling of the arms, legs, hands, and feet
This is not a full list of side effects, and others may occur. Consult your healthcare provider for a full list of side effects, and be sure to discuss what to do in the event of serious side effects.
Drug interactions of aspirin vs. ibuprofen
Before taking aspirin or ibuprofen, tell your healthcare professional about all the medications you take. This includes prescription and OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements. NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen interact with the following:
- Alcohol
- Other NSAIDs (such as naproxen or meloxicam)
- Diuretics
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants, such as warfarin)
- SSRIs/SNRI antidepressants (e.g., Zoloft, Cymbalta)
Some interactions require avoidance, while others require caution and careful monitoring. Always consult your provider before starting a new medication. Many OTC drugs contain NSAIDs, so it is important to ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any other medication. This is not a full list of drug interactions. Talk to your healthcare provider about drug interactions and how they may affect you.
Warnings of aspirin and ibuprofen
Do not use aspirin or ibuprofen if:
- You are allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen, or any NSAID
- You have severe kidney disease or severe heart failure
- You are pregnant (after 20 weeks)
- You have a history of stomach bleeding
Children and teenagers should not typically take aspirin unless recommended by a healthcare provider.
Aspirin and ibuprofen have warnings about gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers (sores), and perforations (holes). Ibuprofen is also associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
When to avoid both aspirin and ibuprofen
Avoid both if you:
- Have aspirin-sensitive asthma
- Have undergone or will undergo heart surgery
- Consume large amounts of alcohol
- Are pregnant in the third trimester
Discuss alternatives like acetaminophen or non-drug remedies (e.g., ice, rest, massage) with your healthcare provider.
Can you take aspirin and ibuprofen together?
If you are taking aspirin or ibuprofen for pain, do not take them together. Taking aspirin and ibuprofen together can increase the risk of serious side effects, such as stomach bleeding and ulcers.
If you are taking a daily 81 mg low-dose aspirin (baby aspirin), you may be able to take ibuprofen for pain—but check with your healthcare provider first, and also ask about timing. Experts recommend:
- If you take baby aspirin first, wait at least 30 minutes before taking ibuprofen
- If you take ibuprofen first, wait at least eight hours before taking aspirin
Frequently asked questions about aspirin vs. ibuprofen
Are aspirin and ibuprofen the same?
No. They’re both NSAIDs but have different uses, especially for heart health and pediatric care.
Which is better—aspirin or ibuprofen?
It depends on your condition. For heart protection, choose low-dose aspirin. For general pain, ibuprofen may be easier on your stomach. Check with your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Can I drink alcohol while taking them?
It’s not recommended. Alcohol raises the risk of stomach bleeding.
Can pregnant people use these drugs?
Only under provider guidance. NSAIDs should typically be avoided after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Does ibuprofen have aspirin in it?
No, ibuprofen does not contain aspirin. Although both are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), they are different medications with distinct chemical structures.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of 2/2/2026. Prices vary by pharmacy.
- Ibuprofen, MedlinePlus (2023)
- Aspirin, MedlinePlus (2025)
- Reye Syndrome in children, Stanford Medicine Children’s Health (2025)
- Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement, JAMA (2022)
- An evidence-based update on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Clinical Medicine & Research (2007)
- Gastrointestinal tolerability of ibuprofen compared with paracetamol and aspirin at over-the-counter doses, Journal of International Medical Research (2002)
- Salicylic acid (aspirin), StatPearls (2023)
- Ibuprofen, StatPearls (2024)
- The dangers of combining aspirin with NSAIDs, FHE Health (2025)