Understanding Pain Relief: What is Nurofen used for?

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

In the United States, an estimated 20.9% of adults (51.6 million people) experience chronic pain. For many, over-the-counter medications are a first line of defense. So, what is Nurofen used for? It's an effective treatment for pain and inflammation.

Quick Summary

Nurofen, with its active ingredient ibuprofen, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for temporary relief of pain, inflammation, and fever associated with many common conditions.

Key Points

Primary Use: Nurofen, containing ibuprofen, is used to relieve mild to moderate pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever.
Mechanism: It works by blocking COX enzymes, which reduces the body's production of prostaglandins—chemicals that cause pain and swelling.
Conditions Treated: It's effective for headaches, muscular aches, dental pain, period pain, arthritis, and symptoms of cold and flu.
Formulations: Nurofen is available as tablets, capsules, liquids, and topical gels. Some products combine ibuprofen with other active ingredients for specific conditions.
Important Warning: Nurofen should be used with caution due to risks of gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular events. It is not suitable for everyone.
Usage: Always use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and take with food to minimize stomach upset.
Contraindications: Avoid Nurofen if you have a stomach ulcer, severe heart failure, kidney or liver problems, or are in the later stages of pregnancy.

What is Nurofen and How Does It Work?

Nurofen is a well-known brand of pain relief medication whose active ingredient is ibuprofen. Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. It was first discovered in the 1960s by researchers looking for a safer alternative to aspirin.

The primary function of Nurofen is to provide analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory (swelling-reducing), and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects. It achieves this by blocking specific enzymes in the body known as cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, specifically COX-1 and COX-2. These enzymes are responsible for producing chemicals called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are released in response to illness or injury and are key mediators of pain, inflammation, and fever. By inhibiting COX enzymes and reducing prostaglandin production, Nurofen effectively alleviates these symptoms. It typically starts working within 20 to 30 minutes when taken orally.

Common Uses for Nurofen

Nurofen is a versatile over-the-counter medication used to provide temporary relief from a wide range of aches and pains. Its dual action against both pain and inflammation makes it suitable for numerous conditions.

Headaches and Migraines: It is effective for treating tension headaches, sinus pain, and migraine headaches.
Musculoskeletal Pain: This includes backaches, muscular aches, sprains, strains, and arthritic or rheumatic pain.
Dental Pain: Nurofen can be used to manage toothaches and pain following dental procedures.
Menstrual Pain: It is commonly used for the relief of period pain.
Cold, Flu, and Fever: Nurofen helps reduce fever and alleviates symptoms associated with colds and flu, such as a sore throat.
Pain in Children: Specially formulated versions are available for children (from 3 months old) to treat pain and fever from conditions like teething, earaches, and colds.

Formulations

Nurofen is available in various forms to suit different needs and preferences, including tablets, liquid-filled capsules, liquids, and topical gels. Some formulations, like Nurofen Express, use ibuprofen lysine, which is absorbed faster than standard ibuprofen. There are also products that combine ibuprofen with other active ingredients, such as the decongestant pseudoephedrine in Nurofen Cold & Flu or paracetamol in Nuromol.

It is always recommended to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and to take it with food or a drink of milk to reduce the risk of an upset stomach. Consult the product packaging or a healthcare professional for specific dosage information.

Comparison of Common Pain Relievers


Feature	Nurofen (Ibuprofen)	Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)	Aspirin
Drug Class	NSAID	Analgesic, Antipyretic	NSAID
Primary Action	Reduces pain, inflammation, and fever	Reduces pain and fever	Reduces pain, inflammation, and fever; blood-thinning
Best For	Pain with inflammation (e.g., sprains, arthritis, period pain)	General pain and fever (e.g., headaches, colds)	Pain, fever; low-dose use for heart attack/stroke prevention
Stomach Irritation	Can cause irritation; take with food	Less likely to cause stomach upset	More likely to cause stomach upset
Use in Children	Yes (special formulations for ages 3 months+)	Yes (special formulations available)	Generally not recommended for children/teens due to risk of Reye's syndrome.

Safety and Side Effects

While generally safe for short-term use, Nurofen is not suitable for everyone. Individuals should avoid it if they have ever had an allergic reaction to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs, or if they have a stomach ulcer, severe heart failure, or severe liver or kidney disease.

Important Warnings:

Cardiovascular Risk: NSAIDs can increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, especially with high doses or long-term use.
Gastrointestinal Risk: Ibuprofen can cause serious gastrointestinal issues, including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines.
Pregnancy: It should be avoided after 20 weeks of pregnancy as it can harm the unborn baby. It is not recommended during the first 6 months without a doctor's advice.

Common side effects can include:

Heartburn or indigestion
Nausea
Constipation or diarrhea
Dizziness

Consult a doctor before use if you have asthma, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, are over 65, or are taking other medications, especially blood thinners or low-dose aspirin.

Conclusion

Nurofen is an effective and widely used medication for managing mild to moderate pain, inflammation, and fever. Its active ingredient, ibuprofen, works by inhibiting the body's production of pain-causing chemicals. With various formulations available for adults and children, it provides targeted relief for conditions ranging from headaches and muscular pain to cold symptoms. However, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks and side effects. Always use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, and consult a healthcare professional to ensure it is the right choice for your specific health situation, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are taking other medicines.

For more detailed information, consult the NHS page on Ibuprofen for adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary active ingredient in all Nurofen products is ibuprofen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Some variants, like Nurofen Cold & Flu, contain additional active ingredients like pseudoephedrine.

When taken by mouth in tablet or capsule form, Nurofen typically begins to work within 20 to 30 minutes. Formulations containing ibuprofen lysine, such as Nurofen Express, are absorbed faster.

It is recommended to take Nurofen (ibuprofen) tablets, capsules, and liquids with food or a drink of milk. This helps to reduce the chance of side effects like an upset stomach or stomach pain.

Yes, there are special Nurofen for Children formulations available as liquids or chewable capsules. These are suitable for children from 3 months of age (weighing more than 5kg) for treating pain and fever.

Nurofen (ibuprofen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain, fever, and inflammation. Paracetamol reduces pain and fever but does not have significant anti-inflammatory effects. Ibuprofen is often preferred for pain associated with inflammation, like sprains or arthritis.

You should not take Nurofen (ibuprofen) after week 20 of pregnancy, as it can harm the developing baby. It is not recommended during the first and second trimesters without consulting a doctor.

You should not take Nurofen if you have (or have had) a stomach ulcer, severe heart failure, severe liver or kidney disease, or an allergy to ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. People with asthma, high blood pressure, or who are taking blood thinners should consult a doctor before use.