Care Ibuprofen 400mg Coated Tablets contain 400mg of ibuprofen per tablet, in a pack of 48 tablets. They relieve pain and fever, including headache, backache, period pain, dental pain, migraine and cold and flu symptoms, and can be taken by adults and children from 12 years. The 400mg strength means one tablet is a full dose, taken up to three times a day as required.

Key Features

• Ibuprofen 400mg: Each tablet contains 400mg of ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by reducing inflammation and relieving pain.
• Pain and fever relief: Used for headaches, rheumatic and muscular pain, backache, feverishness, migraine, period pain, dental pain, neuralgia, and cold and flu symptoms.
• One tablet per dose: The dose is one tablet up to three times a day as required, at least 4 hours apart.
• Suitable from 12 years: Can be used by adults and children aged 12 years and over.
• Short-term use: Intended for short-term use, with no more than 10 days of use without consulting your doctor.

Should I take Care Ibuprofen 400mg Coated Tablets with food?

Take the tablet with a drink of water, preferably with or after food. Taking it with or after food or milk may only partially reduce stomach side effects such as indigestion.

Can I take Care Ibuprofen 400mg Coated Tablets with other painkillers?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take other painkillers, including aspirin or other NSAIDs, because ibuprofen may affect or be affected by them. If you get a headache while taking this medicine, do not take any other medicines for pain to help with it.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Care Ibuprofen 400mg Coated Tablets?

No. The leaflet advises not to drink alcohol while taking ibuprofen tablets.

Can I take Care Ibuprofen 400mg Coated Tablets during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Care states not to use the tablets in pregnancy or when breastfeeding, and to talk to a healthcare professional before taking any medicine in pregnancy. Never take them in the last 3 months of pregnancy.

Active ingredient: Ibuprofen 400mg per tablet.

Take by mouth with a drink of water, preferably with or after food.

• Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years: one tablet (400mg) up to three times a day as required. Do not repeat the dose more often than every 4 hours, and do not take more than 3 tablets (1200mg) in 24 hours.
• Children aged 12 to 17 years: speak to a doctor if the tablets are needed for more than 3 days, or if symptoms worsen.
• Children under 12 years: do not give except on the advice of your doctor.

Do not take for more than 10 days without consulting your doctor. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose. If you take too many tablets, contact your doctor or go to your nearest hospital casualty department immediately and take the leaflet and any unused tablets with you.

Do not take these tablets if any of the following apply:

• You are allergic to ibuprofen, aspirin, any other NSAID or any other ingredient in the tablets.
• You have ever had worsening asthma, hayfever, urticaria (an itchy rash) or angioedema (swelling under the skin) when taking ibuprofen, aspirin or similar painkillers.
• You currently have, or have had on two previous occasions, a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the stomach.
• You have ever had perforation or bleeding of the gut when taking an NSAID.
• You have severe liver, kidney or heart problems.
• You are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
• You have abnormal bleeding or abnormal bruising.
• You are currently taking mifamurtide.

Further precautions:

• Do not use in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Talk to a healthcare professional before taking any medicine in pregnancy.
• Do not take for longer than 10 days unless your doctor tells you to. Taking more than the recommended dose or for longer raises the risk of serious harm to the stomach, gut and kidneys.
• Medicines like ibuprofen may be associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly at high doses. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist first if you have heart problems, have had a stroke, have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, have a family history of heart disease or stroke, or smoke.
• Ibuprofen may hide signs of infection such as fever and pain. If you have an infection and symptoms persist or worsen, consult a doctor without delay.
• Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use if you are elderly, have a history of asthma or allergies, have liver, kidney or bowel problems, have lupus (SLE), or have a history of bleeding in the stomach or gut.
• Tell your doctor if you take other painkillers (including aspirin or other NSAIDs), blood thinners, medicines for blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy or depression, corticosteroids, diuretics, immune-suppressing medicines or lithium, among other medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using ibuprofen with any other medicine.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
• This medicine may make you feel dizzy, drowsy or tired, and may cause blurred vision. Do not drive or use tools or machines if you are affected.
• Stop taking the tablets and seek medical help immediately if you develop a skin rash, blisters, sores in the mouth or other signs of allergy, signs of intestinal bleeding such as black tarry stools or vomiting blood, or breathing problems or swelling of the face or throat.

Like all medicines, ibuprofen tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Taking the lowest dose for the shortest time necessary reduces the risk. The list below is not exhaustive. If any side effect becomes serious, or you notice one that is not listed, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• rash
• feeling dizzy or tired
• stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhoea, feeling or being sick, wind, constipation
• headache
• passing black tarry stools, passing blood in your faeces or vomiting blood

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• drowsiness, anxiety, tingling or pins and needles, difficulty sleeping
• hives, itching, skin sensitivity to light
• visual disturbances, hearing problems, ringing in the ears, vertigo
• hepatitis, yellowing of the skin or eyes, reduced liver function
• reduced kidney function, kidney inflammation, kidney failure
• rhinitis, asthma or worsening of asthma, wheezing, difficulty breathing
• stomach or gut ulcer, hole in the wall of the digestive tract, inflammation of the stomach lining, mouth ulcers
• small bruises on the skin or inside the mouth, nose or ears
• serious allergic reaction causing swelling of the face or throat

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• depression or confusion, fluid retention (oedema)
• non-bacterial meningitis, loss of vision
• changes in blood count (first signs include high temperature, sore throat, mouth ulcers, flu-like symptoms, extreme tiredness, bleeding from the nose or skin), anaemia, agranulocytosis

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• liver failure, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, inflammation of the pancreas
• serious skin conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis or erythema multiforme

Frequency not known:

• worsening of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• a red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters (acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis), fixed drug rash

Medicines like ibuprofen have been associated with a small increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Taken at higher than recommended doses or for a prolonged period, ibuprofen can damage the kidneys and cause very low blood potassium levels. You can report side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.