ibuprofen

Trade name: motrin

Small moleculeapproved

Approved

Sep 19, 1974

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAIA) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Ibuprofen has pharmacologic actions similar to those of other prototypical NSAIAs, which are thought to act through inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. It’s used temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: headache; the common cold; muscular aches; backache; toothache; minor pain of arthritis; menstrual cramps and temporarily reduces fever. The exact mechanism of action of ibuprofen is unknown. Ibuprofen is a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme invovled in prostaglandin synthesis via the arachidonic acid pathway. Its pharmacological effects are believed to be due to inhibition cylooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which decreases the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in mediating inflammation, pain, fever and swelling. Antipyretic effects may be due to action on the hypothalamus, resulting in an increased peripheral blood flow, vasodilation, and subsequent heat dissipation. Inhibition of COX-1 is thought to cause some of the side effects of ibuprofen including GI ulceration. Ibuprofen is administered as a racemic mixture. The R-enantiomer undergoes extensive interconversion to the S-enantiomer in vivo. The S-enantiomer is believed to be the more pharmacologically active enantiomer. — NCATS

Clinical trial activity

749 trials · 549 clinical orgs · 74 marketing orgs

Phase 1

117

Phase 2

228

Phase 3

145

Phase 4

204

Earliest trial started Sep 1, 1990 (NCT00000574)

Timeline

1960s

Jun 1, 1964
The Boots Company — IND Organization
Jun 1, 1964
The Boots Company — IND Organization

1970s

May 18, 1974
Upjohn — First NDA Organization
May 18, 1974
Upjohn — NDA Organization
Sep 19, 1974
Earliest FDA Approval

1980s

May 21, 1981
BASF — NDA Secondary Org
May 21, 1981
IG Farben — NDA Secondary Org
May 18, 1984
Johnson and Johnson — NDA Secondary Org
May 18, 1984
Pfizer — NDA Secondary Org
May 18, 1984
GlaxoSmithKline — NDA Secondary Org
Feb 8, 1985
IG Farben — Marketing Organization
Aug 6, 1985
Par Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Aug 21, 1985
Watson Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Sep 24, 1985
Mylan — Marketing Organization
Apr 25, 1986
Superpharm — Marketing Organization
May 16, 1986
McNeil — NDA Secondary Org
Jun 12, 1986
Rising Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Jun 16, 1986
Johnson and Johnson — Marketing Organization
Jul 15, 1986
Ohm Laboratories, Inc. — Marketing Organization
Sep 19, 1986
Lederle — Marketing Organization
Sep 19, 1986
P&L Development — Marketing Organization
Sep 19, 1986
American Cyanamid — Marketing Organization
Sep 23, 1986
Teva — Marketing Organization
Oct 15, 1986
Leiner Health Products — Marketing Organization
Oct 15, 1986
Contract Pharmacal — Marketing Organization
Oct 22, 1986
Vintage — Marketing Organization
Jan 20, 1987
Ani Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Jun 18, 1987
Pliva — Marketing Organization
Oct 2, 1987
Dalian Merro Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd — Marketing Organization
Dec 11, 1987
Sandoz — Marketing Organization
Feb 16, 1988
Bristol-Myers Squibb — Marketing Organization
Aug 11, 1988
Alta Pharma — Marketing Organization
Sep 19, 1989
Wyeth — NDA Secondary Org
Dec 12, 1989
Abbott — NDA Secondary Org

1990s

Jan 1, 1990
Earliest Phase 3 Sponsor(trial)
Sep 23, 1997
AbbVie — Marketing Organization
Sep 23, 1997
AbbVie — NDA Secondary Org
Jan 1, 1998
Earliest Phase 1 Sponsor(trial)
Jan 1, 1998
Earliest Phase 2 Sponsor(trial)
Dec 16, 1998
Perrigo — Marketing Organization
Mar 1, 1999
LNK International — Marketing Organization

2000s

Apr 17, 2001
Ranbaxy — Marketing Organization
Nov 14, 2001
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories — Marketing Organization
Oct 18, 2002
Bionpharma Inc — NDA Secondary Org
Oct 18, 2002
Bionpharma Inc — Marketing Organization
Nov 26, 2003
Avema Pharma — Marketing Organization
Jan 7, 2004
Moberg Pharma AB — NDA Secondary Org
Sep 23, 2004
Padagis Us — Marketing Organization
Nov 26, 2004
Forest Laboratories — Marketing Organization
Nov 26, 2004
Forest Laboratories — NDA Secondary Org
Apr 13, 2006
Recordati — NDA Secondary Org
Nov 6, 2006
Nostrum Laboratories — Marketing Organization
Sep 10, 2007
Northstar Healthcare — Marketing Organization
Nov 29, 2007
Barr Laboratories — Marketing Organization
Jan 4, 2008
Actavis — Marketing Organization
Feb 5, 2009
Strides Pharma Science — Marketing Organization
Jun 11, 2009
Cumberland Pharmaceuticals — NDA Secondary Org
Jun 26, 2009
Marksans Pharma — Marketing Organization
Aug 31, 2009
Tris Pharma, Inc. — Marketing Organization

2010s

Dec 10, 2010
Granules India — Marketing Organization
Apr 23, 2011
Horizon Pharma — Marketing Organization
Apr 23, 2011
Horizon Pharma — NDA Secondary Org
Aug 18, 2011
Arise Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Dec 23, 2011
Amneal Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
May 28, 2013
Sun Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Mar 30, 2016
X Gen Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Jun 21, 2016
Yichang Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd — Marketing Organization
Sep 7, 2016
Sofgen Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Nov 3, 2016
Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Nov 3, 2016
Akorn, Inc. — Marketing Organization
Nov 3, 2016
Pharmaceutical Associates — Marketing Organization
Nov 23, 2016
Shandong Xinhua Pharmaceutical Company — Marketing Organization
Jun 23, 2017
Taro Pharmaceuticals — Marketing Organization
Nov 8, 2017
Aurobindo Pharma — Marketing Organization
Dec 21, 2017
Ascent Pharmahealth — Marketing Organization
Dec 21, 2017
Allergan PLC (2015) — Marketing Organization
Aug 17, 2018
Guardian Drug — Marketing Organization
Sep 10, 2018
Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd. — Marketing Organization
Nov 23, 2018
Aptapharma Inc — Marketing Organization
Dec 23, 2019
Alkem Labs Ltd — Marketing Organization

2020s

Jan 6, 2020
Ultraseal — Marketing Organization
Mar 1, 2023
AFT PHARMS LTD — NDA Secondary Org
Oct 17, 2023
Hikma — NDA Secondary Org

Indications

Approved for

Studied for

Mechanism of action

CyclooxygenaseINHIBITOR
Cyclooxygenase inhibitor
- Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2) ↗
- Prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 (PTGS1) ↗
- Cyclooxygenase-1
- Cyclooxygenase-2

Combination products

advil allergy and congestion relief
with phenylephrine, dexchlorpheniramine maleate
Also known as advil multi-symptom cold & flu
advil allergy sinus
with dexchlorpheniramine maleate, pseudoephedrine
Also known as children's advil allergy sinus
advil cold and sinus
with pseudoephedrine
Also known as children's advil col, children's motrin col, ibuprohm cold and sinus, sine-aid ib
advil congestion relief
with phenylephrine
advil dual action with acetaminophen
with acetaminophen
Also known as combogesic
advil pm
with diphenhydramine
combunox
with oxycodone
Also known as fdc of oxycodone 5 mg/ibuprofen 400 mg
duexis
with famotidine
vicoprofen
with hydrocodone
Also known as reprexain

Approval history

approvedPriority reviewSep 19, 1974

Chemistry & pharmacology

Loading structure…

SMILES

CC(C)Cc1ccc(C(C)C(=O)[O-])cc1.O.O.[Na+]

Mol. weight: 264.3 g/mol
Lipinski Ro5: Pass
Rule of 3: No
Chirality: Racemic Mixture
Inorganic: No
Polymer: No
Delivery: Oral, Parenteral
Availability: Over the Counter

Oral

Yes

Parenteral

Yes

Topical

Sources

Also known as

2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid
2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid
(±)-2-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid
(±)-2-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid
(2s)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid
(2s)-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoic acid
4-isobutylhydratropic acid
4-isobutylhydratropic acid
(4-isobutylphenyl)-α-methylacetic acid
(4-isobutylphenyl)-α-methylacetic acid
aches-n-pain
aches-n-pain
advil
advil
advil
advil liqui-gels
advil liqui-gels
advil migraine liqui-gels
advil migraine liqui-gels
anadin joint pain
anadin liquifast
anadin period pain relief
anadin ultra
apsifen
apsifen
apsifen-f
apsifen-f
arthrofen 200
arthrofen 400
arthrofen 600
aspirin, caffeine, salicylamide drug combination
brufen
brufen
brufen ret
caldolor
caldolor
cap-profen
cap-profen
children's advil
children's advil
children's advil-flavored
children's advil-flavored
children's elixsure
children's elixsure
children's ibuprofen
children's ibuprofen
children's motrin
children's motrin
codafen continus
co-op
cuprofen for child
cuprofen plus
deep relief
deep relief
ebufac
ebufac
femafen
femafen
feminax express
fenbid
fenbid
fenbid fte
fenpaed
fenpaed
feverfen
fleximex
ibucalm
ibuderm
ibufac
ibugel
ibugel
ibugel fte
ibular
ibular
ibuleve
ibuleve
ibumed
ibumed
ibumetin
ibumetin
ibumetin
ibumousse
ibuprin
ibuprin
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
ibuprofen
(±)-ibuprofen
(±)-ibuprofen
ibuprofen codeine
ibuprofen lysinate
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine
ibuprofen lysine salt
ibuprofen sodium
ibuprofen sodium
ibuprofen sodium
ibuprofen sodium
ibuprohm
ibuprohm
ibuprophen
ibuprophen
ibu-slo
ibu-slo
ibuspray
ibu-tab
ibu-tab
ibu-tab 200
ibu-tab 200
ibutime
inabrin
inabrin
inoven
inoven
isisfen
junifen
junifen
junior strength advil
junior strength advil
junior strength ibuprofen
junior strength ibuprofen
junior strength motrin
junior strength motrin
lidifen
lidifen
lidifen-f
lobufen
mandafen
manorfen
maxa-gesic
medipren
medipren
midol
midol
midol liquid gels
midol liquid gels
migrafen
motrin
motrin
motrin
motrin
motrin ib
motrin ib
motrin migraine pain
motrin migraine pain
novaprin
nuprin
nuprin
nurofen
nurofen
nurofen 400
nurofen advance
nurofen back pain sr
nurofen child
nurofen for child
nurofen max strgth mig pain
nurofen migraine pain
nurofen plus
nurofen recovery
nurofen sinus
nurofen solb
nurofen tension headache
orbifen
orbifen
pacifene
paxofen
paxofen
pedea
pedea
pediatric advil
pediatric advil
phensic
phensic
phensic
phorpain
phor pain
phorpain max strgh
(±)-p-isobutylhydratropic acid
(±)-p-isobutylhydratropic acid
profen
profen
proflex
proflex
proflex sr
relcofen
relcofen
rimafen
rimafen
(rs)-ibuprofen
(rs)-ibuprofen
seclodin
seclodin
solufenum
soluphene
suspren
suspren
tab-profen
tab-profen
u-18573
u-18573
vincents powder
x0002
α-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid
α-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid
(±)-α-methyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)benzeneacetic acid
(±)-α-methyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)benzeneacetic acid
α-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid
α-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid

Clinical trials

NCT ID	Phase	Start date	Sponsor(s)
NCT07225140	Phase 3	Feb 28, 2026	AFT Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
NCT07225634	Phase 3	Feb 28, 2026	AFT Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.
NCT07275710	N/A	Feb 1, 2026	Government of Pakistan
NCT07278050	N/A	Dec 10, 2025	Istanbul Medipol University
NCT07244029	N/A	Dec 1, 2025	Oman Medical Board Specialty (OMSB)
NCT07024199	Phase 4	Sep 30, 2025	Medical University of Warsaw
NCT07145645	Phase 3	Sep 2, 2025	Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, University of Calgary
NCT07102641	Phase 4	Aug 26, 2025	Thomas Jefferson University
NCT07115771	N/A	Aug 15, 2025	Uludag University
NCT07104097	N/A	Aug 11, 2025	University of Brescia
NCT07114198	Early Phase 1 (Phase 1)	Aug 2, 2025	Inonu University
NCT07070050	Phase 4	May 5, 2025	Government of Russia
NCT06866054	N/A	Apr 10, 2025	Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University
NCT06757075	Phase 4	Mar 31, 2025	Boston University
NCT06781489	Phase 4	Feb 19, 2025	Universidad Europea de Madrid
NCT06778759	Phase 4	Feb 19, 2025	Universidad Europea de Madrid
NCT06980870	Phase 2	Feb 15, 2025	Government of Pakistan
NCT06802185	Phase 1	Jan 31, 2025	Healeon Medical Inc
NCT06671002	Phase 4	Jan 31, 2025	Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, University of Michigan
NCT06496854	Phase 2	Dec 31, 2024	University of Wisconsin

Showing 20 of 749 trials

Page 1 / 38

Organizations

Research & Development (549)

Organization	Org type	Trials	As lead sponsor	Phases	Earliest year
Pfizer	For profit	41	37	5	2002
Cumberland Pharmaceuticals	For profit	19	13	3	2002
Istanbul Medipol University	Academic/Hospital	17	17	1	2018
Cairo University	Academic/Hospital	12	12	4	2017
Merck	For profit	12	10	4	2001
Yeshiva University	Academic/Hospital	12	10	4	2012
Boehringer Ingelheim	For profit	10	10	3	1998
Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceutical	For profit	10	10	3	2009
McNeil	For profit	9	2	4	2004
Johnson and Johnson	For profit	8	8	4	2004
Stanford University	Academic/Hospital	8	8	5	2010
University of Copenhagen	Academic/Hospital	8	5	2	2005
University of Western Ontario	Academic/Hospital	8	5	4	2010
AFT Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.	For profit	7	7	2	2010
Case Western Reserve University	Academic/Hospital	7	4	3	1996
Seoul National University	Academic/Hospital	7	6	3	2008
United States Army	Government	7	5	5	2011
Bayer	For profit	6	6	3	2004
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories	For profit	6	6	1	2002
GlaxoSmithKline	For profit	6	5	3	2001

549 organizations

Page 1 / 28

Marketing (108)

Organization	Org type	Relationship	Date
AFT PHARMS LTD	For profit	NDA2	Mar 1, 2023
AbbVie	For profit	MKTG	Sep 23, 1997
AbbVie	For profit	NDA2	Sep 23, 1997
Abbott	For profit	NDA2	Dec 12, 1989
Abbott	For profit	MKTG	—
Actavis	For profit	MKTG	Jan 4, 2008
Actavis	For profit	SYN	Dec 31, 2003
Actavis	For profit	SYN	Mar 25, 1998
Akorn, Inc.	For profit	MKTG	Nov 3, 2016
Alkem Labs Ltd	For profit	MKTG	Dec 23, 2019
Allergan PLC (2015)	For profit	MKTG	Dec 21, 2017
Alta Pharma	For profit	MKTG	Aug 11, 1988
American Cyanamid	For profit	MKTG	Sep 19, 1986
Amneal Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Dec 23, 2011
Amneal Pharmaceuticals	For profit	SYN	Nov 25, 1986
Ani Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Jan 20, 1987
Ani Pharmaceuticals	For profit	SYN	Jan 20, 1987
Aptapharma Inc	For profit	MKTG	Nov 23, 2018
Arise Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Aug 18, 2011
Arise Pharmaceuticals	For profit	SYN	Aug 18, 2011
Ascent Pharmahealth	For profit	MKTG	Dec 21, 2017
Aurobindo Pharma	For profit	MKTG	Nov 8, 2017
Aurobindo Pharma	For profit	SYN	Jun 12, 1986
Aurobindo Pharma	For profit	SYN	Nov 8, 2017
Avema Pharma	For profit	MKTG	Nov 26, 2003
BASF	For profit	NDA2	May 21, 1981
Barr Laboratories	For profit	MKTG	Nov 29, 2007
Bayer	For profit	MKTG	—
Bionpharma Inc	For profit	NDA2	Oct 18, 2002
Bionpharma Inc	For profit	MKTG	Oct 18, 2002
Bristol-Myers Squibb	For profit	MKTG	Feb 16, 1988
Contract Pharmacal	For profit	MKTG	Oct 15, 1986
Cumberland Pharmaceuticals	For profit	NDA2	Jun 11, 2009
Dalian Merro Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd	For profit	MKTG	Oct 2, 1987
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories	For profit	SYN	Aug 14, 2006
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories	For profit	MKTG	Nov 14, 2001
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories	For profit	SYN	Oct 31, 2001
Forest Laboratories	For profit	MKTG	Nov 26, 2004
Forest Laboratories	For profit	NDA2	Nov 26, 2004
GlaxoSmithKline	For profit	NDA2	May 18, 1984
Granules India	For profit	MKTG	Dec 10, 2010
Granules India	For profit	SYN	Sep 15, 2015
Granules India	For profit	SYN	Sep 15, 2015
Guardian Drug	For profit	MKTG	Aug 17, 2018
Halsey	For profit	MKTG	—
Hi Tech Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Nov 3, 2016
Hikma	For profit	NDA2	Oct 17, 2023
Horizon Pharma	For profit	MKTG	Apr 23, 2011
Horizon Pharma	For profit	NDA2	Apr 23, 2011
IG Farben	For profit	NDA2	May 21, 1981
IG Farben	For profit	MKTG	Feb 8, 1985
Johnson and Johnson	For profit	NDA2	May 18, 1984
Johnson and Johnson	For profit	MKTG	Jun 16, 1986
LNK International	For profit	MKTG	Mar 1, 1999
Lederle	For profit	MKTG	Sep 19, 1986
Leiner Health Products	For profit	MKTG	Oct 15, 1986
Marksans Pharma	For profit	MKTG	Jun 26, 2009
McNeil	For profit	NDA2	May 16, 1986
McNeil	For profit	SYN	Sep 19, 1974
McNeil	For profit	SYN	Nov 16, 1994
Moberg Pharma AB	For profit	NDA2	Jan 7, 2004
Mylan	For profit	MKTG	Sep 24, 1985
Mylan	For profit	SYN	Sep 24, 1985
Northstar Healthcare	Academic/Hospital	MKTG	Sep 10, 2007
Nostrum Laboratories	For profit	MKTG	Nov 6, 2006
Ohm Laboratories, Inc.	For profit	MKTG	Jul 15, 1986
Ohm Laboratories, Inc.	For profit	SYN	Aug 29, 1985
P&L Development	For profit	MKTG	Sep 19, 1986
P&L Development	For profit	SYN	Apr 30, 1999
Padagis Us	For profit	MKTG	Sep 23, 2004
Par Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Aug 6, 1985
Perrigo	For profit	MKTG	Dec 16, 1998
Perrigo	For profit	SYN	Dec 8, 1987
Perrigo	For profit	SYN	Sep 23, 2004
Perrigo	For profit	SYN	Jul 18, 2005
Pfizer	For profit	NDA2	May 18, 1984
Pfizer	For profit	SYN	Jun 12, 2012
Pharmaceutical Associates	For profit	MKTG	Nov 3, 2016
Pliva	For profit	MKTG	Jun 18, 1987
Puracap Pharmaceutical	For profit	MKTG	—
Ranbaxy	For profit	MKTG	Apr 17, 2001
Recordati	For profit	NDA2	Apr 13, 2006
Rising Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Jun 12, 1986
Sandoz	For profit	MKTG	Dec 11, 1987
Shandong Xinhua Pharmaceutical Company	For profit	MKTG	Nov 23, 2016
Sofgen Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Sep 7, 2016
Strides Pharma Science	For profit	MKTG	Feb 5, 2009
Sun Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	May 28, 2013
Sun Pharmaceuticals	For profit	SYN	Jul 24, 1985
Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd.	For profit	SYN	Sep 10, 2018
Sunshine Lake Pharma Co., Ltd.	For profit	MKTG	Sep 10, 2018
Superpharm	For profit	MKTG	Apr 25, 1986
Taro Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Jun 23, 2017
Taro Pharmaceuticals	For profit	SYN	Aug 8, 2023
Teva	For profit	MKTG	Sep 23, 1986
Teva	For profit	SYN	May 29, 1992
Teva	For profit	SYN	Oct 29, 2021
The Boots Company	For profit	IND	Jun 1, 1964
Tris Pharma, Inc.	For profit	MKTG	Aug 31, 2009
Ultraseal	For profit	MKTG	Jan 6, 2020
Upjohn	For profit	NDA	May 18, 1974
Vintage	For profit	MKTG	Oct 22, 1986
Watson Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Aug 21, 1985
Wyeth	For profit	NDA2	Sep 19, 1989
X Gen Pharmaceuticals	For profit	SYN	Mar 30, 2016
X Gen Pharmaceuticals	For profit	MKTG	Mar 30, 2016
Yichang Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd	For profit	MKTG	Jun 21, 2016
Yichang Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd	For profit	SYN	Oct 19, 2020