On this page · 6 sections

Ibuprofen (Intravenous)

Generic name: ibuprofen

Brand names: Caldolor, Neoprofen

Last updated February 22, 2026 0 views
Share

Uses for ibuprofen

Ibuprofen injection is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used by itself or with other medicines (for example, opioid analgesics) to relieve mild to severe pain. It is also used to reduce fever.

This medicine should only be given by your doctor or under their supervision.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Precautions while using ibuprofen

It is very important that your doctor checks your progress while you or your child receives this medicine. This allows your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely to occur in people who already have heart disease or in people who use this medicine for a longer time. Tell your doctor if you or your child has chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, slurred speech, unusual sweating, or faintness.

This medicine may increase the risk of bleeding problems, including bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This can happen without warning signs. This is more likely to occur if you have had a stomach ulcer in the past, if you smoke or drink alcohol regularly, are over 60 years of age, are in poor health, or are using certain other medicines (e.g., steroids or a blood thinner).

Liver problems may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has stomach pain or tenderness, clay-colored stools, dark urine, decreased appetite, fever, headache, itching, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, skin rash, swelling of the feet or lower legs, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.

If you or your child are rapidly gaining weight, having chest pain or discomfort, extreme tiredness or weakness, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, or excessive swelling of the hands, wrists, ankles, or feet, check with your doctor immediately. These may be symptoms of heart problems or your body holding onto too much water.

This medicine may cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child has blood in the urine, decreased urine output, confusion, dizziness, headache, muscle twitching, rapid weight gain, swelling of your face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are receiving this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you or your child has confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you get the injection.

Serious skin reactions, including exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Using this medicine during the later part of your pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in color vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you or your child to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child starts to have a stiff neck, drowsiness, fever, severe headache, nausea or vomiting, painful eye movements, or eye sensitivity to light. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS).

This medicine may cause a delay in ovulation for women and may affect their ability to have children. If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Before using ibuprofen

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medication must be weighed against the beneficial it will do. This is a decision you and your physician will make. For this drug, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your clinician if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medication or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of ibuprofen injection in children younger than 3 months of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ibuprofen injection in the elderly. Nevertheless, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, heart, or stomach problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving ibuprofen injection.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different drugs may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your clinician may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially critical that your healthcare professional know if you are using any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this drug with any of the following medications is not advised. Your physician may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medications you take.

  • Ketorolac

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not advised, but may be required in some cases. If both medications are prescribed together, your physician may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the drugs.

  • Abciximab
  • Aceclofenac
  • Acemetacin
  • Acenocoumarol
  • Amiloride
  • Amineptine
  • Amitriptyline
  • Amitriptylinoxide
  • Amoxapine
  • Amtolmetin Guacil
  • Anagrelide
  • Apixaban
  • Ardeparin
  • Argatroban
  • Aspirin
  • Balsalazide
  • Bemetizide
  • Bemiparin
  • Bendroflumethiazide
  • Benzthiazide
  • Betamethasone
  • Betrixaban
  • Bismuth Subsalicylate
  • Bivalirudin
  • Bromfenac
  • Budesonide
  • Bufexamac
  • Bumetanide
  • Cangrelor
  • Celecoxib
  • Certoparin
  • Chlorothiazide
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
  • Choline Salicylate
  • Cilostazol
  • Citalopram
  • Clomipramine
  • Clonixin
  • Clopamide
  • Clopidogrel
  • Cortisone
  • Cyclopenthiazide
  • Cyclosporine
  • Cyclothiazide
  • Dabigatran Etexilate
  • Dalteparin
  • Danaparoid
  • Deflazacort
  • Desipramine
  • Desirudin
  • Desmopressin
  • Desvenlafaxine
  • Dexamethasone
  • Dexibuprofen
  • Dexketoprofen
  • Diazoxide
  • Dibenzepin
  • Diclofenac
  • Diflunisal
  • Digoxin
  • Dipyridamole
  • Dipyrone
  • Dothiepin
  • Doxepin
  • Droxicam
  • Duloxetine
  • Edoxaban
  • Emtricitabine
  • Enoxaparin
  • Eplerenone
  • Epoprostenol
  • Eptifibatide
  • Escitalopram
  • Ethacrynic Acid
  • Etodolac
  • Etofenamate
  • Etoricoxib
  • Etozolin
  • Felbinac
  • Fenoprofen
  • Fepradinol
  • Feprazone
  • Feverfew
  • Floctafenine
  • Fluconazole
  • Flufenamic Acid
  • Fluocortolone
  • Fluoxetine
  • Flurbiprofen
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Fondaparinux
  • Furosemide
  • Ginkgo
  • Gossypol
  • Heparin
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Hydroflumethiazide
  • Iloprost
  • Imipramine
  • Indapamide
  • Indomethacin
  • Inotersen
  • Ketoprofen
  • Lepirudin
  • Levomilnacipran
  • Lithium
  • Lofepramine
  • Lornoxicam
  • Loxoprofen
  • Lumacaftor
  • Lumiracoxib
  • Mavacamten
  • Meadowsweet
  • Meclofenamate
  • Mefenamic Acid
  • Melitracen
  • Meloxicam
  • Melphalan
  • Mesalamine
  • Methotrexate
  • Methyclothiazide
  • Methylprednisolone
  • Metolazone
  • Milnacipran
  • Morniflumate
  • Nabumetone
  • Nadroparin
  • Naproxen
  • Nefazodone
  • Nepafenac
  • Niflumic Acid
  • Nimesulide
  • Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
  • Nortriptyline
  • Olsalazine Sodium
  • Opipramol
  • Oxaprozin
  • Oxyphenbutazone
  • Paramethasone
  • Parecoxib
  • Parnaparin
  • Paroxetine
  • Pemetrexed
  • Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
  • Pentoxifylline
  • Phenindione
  • Phenprocoumon
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Piketoprofen
  • Piretanide
  • Piroxicam
  • Polythiazide
  • Potassium Citrate
  • Pranoprofen
  • Prasugrel
  • Prednisolone
  • Prednisone
  • Proglumetacin
  • Propyphenazone
  • Proquazone
  • Protein C
  • Protriptyline
  • Quinethazone
  • Reviparin
  • Rivaroxaban
  • Rofecoxib
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Salsalate
  • Selexipag
  • Sertraline
  • Sibutramine
  • Sodium Salicylate
  • Spironolactone
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Sulfinpyrazone
  • Sulindac
  • Sulodexide
  • Tacrolimus
  • Tenofovir Alafenamide
  • Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
  • Tenoxicam
  • Tianeptine
  • Tiaprofenic Acid
  • Ticagrelor
  • Ticlopidine
  • Tinzaparin
  • Tirofiban
  • Tocilizumab
  • Tolfenamic Acid
  • Tolmetin
  • Torsemide
  • Trazodone
  • Treprostinil
  • Triamterene
  • Trichlormethiazide
  • Trimipramine
  • Valdecoxib
  • Venlafaxine
  • Vilazodone
  • Vorapaxar
  • Vortioxetine
  • Warfarin
  • Xipamide

Using this medicine with any of the following drugs may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best therapy for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your clinician may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

  • Acebutolol
  • Amikacin
  • Atenolol
  • Azilsartan
  • Azilsartan Medoxomil
  • Benazepril
  • Betaxolol
  • Bisoprolol
  • Candesartan
  • Captopril
  • Carteolol
  • Carvedilol
  • Celiprolol
  • Enalapril
  • Enalaprilat
  • Eprosartan
  • Esmolol
  • Fosinopril
  • Irbesartan
  • Labetalol
  • Levobunolol
  • Lisinopril
  • Losartan
  • Metipranolol
  • Metoprolol
  • Moexipril
  • Nadolol
  • Nebivolol
  • Olmesartan
  • Oxprenolol
  • Penbutolol
  • Perindopril
  • Pindolol
  • Propranolol
  • Quinapril
  • Ramipril
  • Sotalol
  • Spirapril
  • Telmisartan
  • Timolol
  • Trandolapril
  • Valsartan

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medications should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs may additionally cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this drug with any of the following is usually not advised, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this drug, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

  • Ethanol
  • Tobacco

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

  • Anemia or
  • Bleeding problems or
  • Congestive heart failure or
  • Dehydration or
  • Edema (fluid retention) or
  • Heart attack, recent or
  • Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) or
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
  • Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or
  • Kidney disease or
  • Liver disease or
  • Stomach ulcers or bleeding, history of or
  • Stroke, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
  • Aspirin-sensitive asthma or
  • Aspirin sensitivity, history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
  • Heart surgery (eg, coronary artery bypass graft [CABG])—Should not be used for pain right before or after surgery.
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)—May cause adverse effects to become worse.

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Side Effects of ibuprofen

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects happen:

More common

  • Black, tarry stools
  • Bleeding gums
  • Blurred vision
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Confusion
  • Cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Decreased urine
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Dizziness
  • Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when standing up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • Dry mouth
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Fever or chills
  • Headache
  • Increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
  • Increased thirst
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lower back or side pain
  • Muscle pain, cramps, or twitching
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Nervousness
  • Nosebleeds
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
  • Pain, warmth, or burning in the fingers, toes, and legs
  • Painful or difficult urination
  • Pale skin
  • Paralysis
  • Pounding in the ears
  • Problems with vision or hearing
  • Prolonged bleeding from cuts
  • Rapid breathing
  • Red or black, tarry stools
  • Red or dark brown urine
  • Restlessness
  • Seizures
  • Slow or fast heartbeat
  • Sneezing
  • Sore throat
  • Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • Stomach pain
  • Sweating
  • Swelling of the feet or lower legs
  • Swollen glands
  • Trouble breathing
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

  • Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • Decrease in the frequency of urination
  • Decrease in urine volume
  • Difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
  • Rapid weight gain
  • Unusual weight gain or loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

  • Excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  • Full feeling
  • Passing gas

Less common

  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Belching
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

  • Caldolor
  • Neoprofen

Available Dosage Forms:

  • Solution

Therapeutic Class: Analgesic

Pharmacologic Class: NSAID

Chemical Class: Propionic Acid (class)

This section was rewritten for readability and reviewed for meaning.

Proper use of ibuprofen

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.

Frequently asked questions

  • Meloxicam vs Ibuprofen: What's the difference?
  • Naproxen vs ibuprofen: What's the difference?
  • Can you take ibuprofen on an empty stomach?
  • Can you take expired ibuprofen?
  • Can you take Ibuprofen if you have COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
  • Can You Take Tramadol with Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, or Aspirin?
  • What's the difference between aspirin and ibuprofen?
  • Can you overdose on ibuprofen?
  • How much ibuprofen can I take and how often?

View more FAQ

Related medicines

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

Content is provided for education and is not medical advice. See our medical disclaimer.