{"id":57966,"date":"2023-04-10T18:44:41","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T22:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=57966"},"modified":"2026-03-05T19:37:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T00:37:46","slug":"ibuprofen-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ibuprofen-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Ibuprofen (Motrin) alternatives: What can I take instead of ibuprofen?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ibuprofen is a generic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or <\/span>NSAID<\/span><\/a>. It is available in lower strengths over-the-counter, and higher-strength tablets require a prescription. If you\u2019ve ever experienced mild-to-moderate acute pain, such as from a muscle pull or a procedure associated with <\/span>inflammation<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ve probably taken ibuprofen before. It also has antipyretic properties, making it helpful as supportive care in combating the aches, pains, and <\/span>fevers <\/span><\/a>associated with viral conditions like the <\/span>common cold<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since it\u2019s widely available over-the-counter, ibuprofen is easily accessible and is often used for more chronic pain management, like joint pain associated with <\/span>osteoarthritis<\/span><\/a> or lower back pain. Despite being widely available, ibuprofen has some serious side effects, and certain groups of people should use it with caution while others should avoid it altogether. NSAIDs can <\/span>decrease blood flow to the kidneys<\/span>, resulting in harm. A patient\u2019s risk for kidney damage should always be considered, including a review of other medications they are taking that might be a \u201cdouble whammy\u201d to kidneys\u2014such as an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) or <\/span>angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). <\/span><\/a>While an occasional over-the-counter dose should be safe in patients with mild to moderate risk for kidney disease, NSAIDs should be avoided entirely in patients with <\/span>severe kidney disease<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, it is important to understand the type of pain you are trying to treat; ibuprofen will have minimal to no effect on neuropathic pain, and chronic pain may require different medications like opioids to manage the discomfort. Here, we will discuss some ibuprofen alternatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Save up to 80% on Ibuprofen with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tIbuprofen 800 mg (30 Tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Walmart\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$2.76\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Walmart\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$2.76\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Ibuprofen prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

What can I take in place of ibuprofen?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Other options are available to provide pain relief either acutely or for other types of pain, like nerve pain or inflammatory pain associated with medical conditions like <\/span>rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/a>. These alternative medications include different types of NSAIDs, medications that are applied topically for very localized relief, and other analgesic painkillers. These options may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different mechanisms of action, routes of administration, side effect profiles, and dosages.<\/span>
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Compare ibuprofen (Motrin) alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Motrin\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(ibuprofen)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Anti-inflammatory, dysmenorrhea, fever, migraine, pan<\/span><\/td>\n200 mg to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, or 600 mg to 800 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed; maximum daily dose 3200 mg<\/span><\/td>\nIbuprofen coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tylenol <\/span>(acetaminophen)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nPain, fever<\/span><\/td>\n325 mg to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed, or 1 g every 6 hours as needed; maximum daily dose 4000 mg<\/span><\/td>\nTylenol coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Celebrex<\/span><\/p>\n

(celecoxib)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Anti-inflammatory, dysmenorrhea, migraine, osteoarthritis, pain<\/span><\/td>\n400 mg, followed by 200 mg 12 hours later, if needed; then, 200 mg twice daily as needed or scheduled; maximum daily dose 400 mg<\/span><\/td>\nCelebrex coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Qdolo<\/span><\/p>\n

(tramadol)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Pain\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n25 mg to 60 mg every 6 hours as needed; may increase to 50 mg to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours<\/span><\/td>\nQdolo coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Voltaren gel <\/span>(diclofenac 1% gel)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nOsteoarthritis, pain<\/span><\/td>\nApply 4 g to affected area up to four times daily; maximum daily dose per area\/joint 16 g<\/span><\/td>\nVoltaren coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daypro<\/span><\/p>\n

(oxaprozin)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n1,200 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nDaypro coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Indocin <\/span>(indomethacin)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nAnkylosing spondylosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis\/tendinopathy of shoulder, gout, pericarditis,\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n25 mg two to three times daily; if tolerated, increase daily dosage by 25 mg to 50 mg at weekly intervals; maximum daily dose 150 mg to 200 mg<\/span><\/td>\nIndocin coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lidoderm<\/span><\/p>\n

(lidocaine patch)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Pain (localized),postherpetic neuralgia<\/span><\/td>\nApply patch to most painful area; up to 3 patches may be applied in a single application; patch(es) may remain in place for up to 12 hours in any 24-hour period<\/span><\/td>\nLidoderm coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mobic <\/span><\/p>\n

(meloxicam)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Osteoarthritis, pain, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n7.5 mg once daily; may increase to a maximum daily dose of 15 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nMeloxicam coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feldene <\/span><\/p>\n

(piroxicam)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis<\/span><\/td>\n20 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nFeldene coupons<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aleve\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(naproxen)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

Anti-inflammatory, dysmenorrhea, fever, gout, pain<\/span><\/td>\n250 mg to 500 mg every 12 hours; maximum daily dose 1500 mg<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to ibuprofen<\/span><\/p>\n