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Caldolor

Generic name: ibuprofen injection

Last updated April 21, 2026 0 views Reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm
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What is Caldolor?

Caldolor injection is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.

Caldolor injection is used to reduce fever and treat pain.

Caldolor may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Caldolor is FDA approved for adult and pediatric patients ages 3 months and older for:

  • Management of mild to moderate pain, including postoperative pain
  • Management of moderate to severe pain, including postoperative pain, as an adjunct to opioid analgesics
  • Reduction of fever

Warnings

Caldolor can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. You should not receive this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Ibuprofen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using Caldolor, especially in older adults.

Before taking this medicine

Caldolor can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, even if you don't have any risk factors. You should not use this medicine just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).

Ibuprofen may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding, which can be fatal. These conditions can occur without warning while you are using this medicine, especially in older adults.

You should not be treated with Caldolor if you are allergic to ibuprofen, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID.

To make sure Caldolor is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke;
  • a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
  • stomach ulcers or bleeding;
  • asthma;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • fluid retention; or
  • a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, or lupus.

If you are pregnant, you should not receive Caldolor unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Caldolor side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Caldolor: (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction: (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using Caldolor and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, leg swelling, feeling short of breath.

Tell your caregivers at once if you have:

  • changes in your vision;
  • swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
  • severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears;
  • little or no urination;
  • high potassium level - nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
  • liver problems - loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
  • low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or
  • signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

If your baby has been treated with Neoprofen, tell the doctor at once if the baby has:

  • signs of infection such as fever, chills, fussiness;
  • unusual bleeding; or
  • bruising, swelling, warmth, redness, or irritation where the IV needle is placed.

Common Caldolor side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, gas;
  • headache; or
  • dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How is Caldolor injection given?

Caldolor is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are receiving Caldolor injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive your injection in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

Avoid taking aspirin while you are receiving Caldolor.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines for pain, fever, swelling, or cold/flu symptoms. They may contain ingredients similar to ibuprofen (such as aspirin, ketoprofen, or naproxen).

What other drugs will affect Caldolor?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • lithium;
  • methotrexate;
  • a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or "water pill"; or
  • steroid medicine (such as prednisone).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with ibuprofen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Common questions about Caldolor

Meloxicam vs Ibuprofen: What's the difference?
Meloxicam is stronger, prescription-only, longer-acting, and used mainly for arthritis; ibuprofen is milder, OTC, shorter-acting, and treats various pains. Continue reading
Naproxen vs ibuprofen: What's the difference?
Ibuprofen is short acting, while naproxen is long acting and more likely to cause an upset stomach. Naproxen also increases the risk of uncontrolled bleeding in people taking blood thinners by 4-fold, and ibuprofen increases the risk 2-fold. Naproxen and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs so they are similar in many ways, but there are important differences. Continue reading
Can you take ibuprofen on an empty stomach?
Despite the common belief that you must take ibuprofen with food, you can safely take low-dose ibuprofen (up to 1200 mg daily in divided doses for 1 to 7 days) on an empty stomach, and this provides faster pain relief than taking ibuprofen with food. Food slows ibuprofen absorption time, although it doesn't affect the total amount absorbed. There is actually no scientific evidence that taking ibuprofen with food prevents stomach irritation. Over-the-counter ibuprofen doses have a low incidence of gastric problems anyway. Continue reading
Can you take expired ibuprofen?
Although taking expired ibuprofen is not recommended by the manufacturer, the actual shelf-life is likely to be longer than that indicated by the expiry date, with FDA testing showing many drugs are active for years beyond their expiry date, although specific data on ibuprofen is not available. Within reason, an ibuprofen tablet that is a few months past its expiry date is probably safe to take. Ibuprofen that is years past its expiry date should not be taken. Continue reading
Can You Take Tramadol with Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin?
Yes, for most people, tramadol can be safely combined with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, and doing so can provide better pain relief than either medicine alone. However, there are important age restrictions and clinical considerations to be aware of. Continue reading
What's the difference between aspirin and ibuprofen?
Both aspirin and ibuprofen are popular NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) that work by blocking prostaglandin production to reduce pain and inflammation. However, these over-the-counter pain relievers have important differences in safety, uses, and side effects. Continue reading
Can you overdose on ibuprofen?
Despite ibuprofen having a wide safety margin, it is possible to overdose on it, but death from ibuprofen overdose is rare. Children are more susceptible to the effects of ibuprofen and likely to experience an overdosage of ibuprofen if dosages of more than 400mg/kg (in the range of 8000mg for a 20kg child [the equivalent of 40 x 200mg ibuprofen tablets]) are ingested. Studies have reported patients ingesting less than 99 mg/kg are unlikely to have symptoms. Continue reading
How much ibuprofen can I take and how often?
Adults can safely take ibuprofen 200 mg to 400 mg (one or two tablets) every 4-6 hours as needed for pain relief. The maximum dose in 24 hours for over-the-counter ibuprofen is 1200 mg (6 tablets of 200 mg each). Ibuprofen is also available on a prescription from a doctor and may be prescribed at a higher strength (600 mg or 800 mg every 6 hours) for severe pain. Continue reading

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Before you take this medicine: the information on this page is general and may not cover your personal circumstances. Read the label supplied with your medicine and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines or managing a long-term condition.
General medicine information Consumer-friendly language Source: Drugs.com

Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer. Source page medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm on April 21, 2026.