Ibuprofen is an NSAID and non-selective COX inhibitor used to treat mild-moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) derived from propionic acid and it is considered the first of the propionics.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 2 references
The exact mechanism of action of ibuprofen is unknown. However, ibuprofen is considered an NSAID and thus it is a non-selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, which is an enzyme involved in prostaglandin (mediators of pain and fever) and thromboxane (stimulators of blood clotting) synthesis via the arachidonic acid pathway.
Ibuprofen is a non-selective COX inhibitor and hence, it inhibits the activity of both COX-1 and COX-2. The inhibition of COX-2 activity decreases the synthesis of prostaglandins involved in mediating inflammation, pain, fever, and swelling while the inhibition of COX-1 is thought to cause some of the side effects of ibuprofen including GI ulceration.
- Primary indication
- Ibuprofen is the most commonly used and prescribed NSAID.Curator reviewed · 50 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C13H18O2 · 206.2808 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1974 · European Union, 2016
- Also known as
- Ibuprophen
- Code names
- M01AE01
- Brand names
Resolves to
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Which drugs share a target with Ibuprofen, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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