Ibuprofen can be used to relieve other painful conditions such as:
- headaches
- migraine
- toothache
- nerve pain (neuralgia)
- period pain
- It is also useful for reducing fever and discomfort associated with colds and flu.
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s). NSAIDs work is by inhibiting an enzyme (a chemical that causes other chemical reactions to occur) called cyclooxygenase (sometimes referred to as COX). This enzyme is crucial for the production of chemicals called prostaglandins, which are substances that have a few different roles, one of which is to cause inflammation. So by stopping the enzyme, fewer prostaglandins are produced leading to less inflammation and pain.
