{"id":627747,"date":"2024-04-12T09:59:41","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T13:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627747"},"modified":"2026-03-23T17:53:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T21:53:13","slug":"is-motrin-same-as-ibuprofen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-motrin-same-as-ibuprofen\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Motrin and ibuprofen the same thing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking for over-the-counter (OTC) <\/span>pain relief<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ve probably noticed a lot of similar options. Some pain medications even contain the same ingredients, even though they have different names on the box. So, is <\/span>Motrin<\/span><\/a> the same as <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>? Essentially, yes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motrin is a brand-name pain reliever that contains ibuprofen as its main ingredient. Brand-name and generic meds share many similarities, but they may differ in price, dosage, available forms, and inactive ingredients. We\u2019ll compare the similarities and differences between Motrin and ibuprofen.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is ibuprofen?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ibuprofen<\/span> is a<\/span> nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (<\/span>NSAID<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>. It reduces minor aches, pains, and <\/span>fever<\/span><\/a> by decreasing the production of prostaglandins, chemicals that play a role in the body\u2019s inflammatory process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ibuprofen works fast, relieving symptoms within<\/span> 20\u201330 minutes<\/span><\/a> of taking it. The standard<\/span> recommended dosage<\/span><\/a> for <\/span>OTC<\/span><\/a> ibuprofen is 200 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours. However, ibuprofen is also available in stronger prescription strengths with higher allowable dosages. Prescription ibuprofen is used to treat moderate pain, <\/span>osteoarthritis<\/span><\/a>, rheumatoid <\/span>arthritis<\/span><\/a>, and more severe <\/span>menstrual cramps<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Motrin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Motrin is a brand name for ibuprofen. In other words, it contains the NSAID ibuprofen as its active ingredient, so it is used for the same purpose: to relieve aches, pains, and fever.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to understand that Motrin is a brand name owned by Kenvue Brands LLC. The company sells<\/span> a variety of Motrin (ibuprofen) products<\/span><\/a>: Motrin IB (ibuprofen in standard dosage), Children\u2019s Motrin (ibuprofen at a reduced dose), Motrin Dual Action (ibuprofen plus acetaminophen), and more. In most cases, references to Motrin refer to Motrin IB.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarities between Motrin and ibuprofen<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are far more similarities than differences between Motrin and ibuprofen tablets. Here are the key similarities:<\/span><\/p>\n