What are the ingredients of ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is a common over-the-counter medication widely used to relieve pain, reduce fever, and reduce inflammation. In recent years, as health awareness has increased, people have become more interested in the ingredients and mechanism of action of ibuprofen. This article will introduce in detail the chemical composition, pharmacological effects and related hot topics of ibuprofen.
Chemical composition of ibuprofen

The chemical name of ibuprofen is2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid, a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Below is detailed data on its chemical structure:
| chemical name | 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid |
| Molecular formula | C13H18O2 |
| molecular weight | 206.28 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| solubility | Easily soluble in ethanol, acetone, slightly soluble in water |
The pharmacological effects of ibuprofen
Ibuprofen inhibitsCyclooxygenase (COX)activity, reducing the synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby exerting analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. The following is a summary of its main pharmacological effects:
| Mechanism of action | Inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes and reduces prostaglandin production |
| analgesic effect | Relieve mild to moderate pain (such as headache, toothache, muscle pain) |
| anti-inflammatory effect | Reduce inflammation (such as arthritis, sprains) |
| antipyretic effect | Reduce fever and body temperature |
Hot topics about ibuprofen in the past 10 days
Recently, ibuprofen has been the focus of heated discussions online due to its widespread use and potential side effects. The following are related topics that have been discussed frequently across the Internet in the past 10 days:
| topic | Discussion popularity |
| Ibuprofen linked to cardiovascular risk | high |
| The role of ibuprofen in alleviating COVID-19 symptoms | in |
| Effects of long-term use of ibuprofen on kidneys | high |
| Ibuprofen interactions with other drugs | in |
Precautions for ibuprofen
Although ibuprofen is a safe and effective drug, you still need to pay attention to the following things when using it:
Avoid long-term or excessive use to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding or kidney damage.
Pregnant women, lactating women and those with severe liver and kidney dysfunction should use it under the guidance of a doctor.
Use caution when using with other NSAIDs or anticoagulants.
Summary
The main component of ibuprofen is 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid, which exerts analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins. Although it is relatively safe, long-term or improper use may pose health risks. Recent discussions about ibuprofen have mainly focused on cardiovascular and renal health, and users are advised to use it rationally under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
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