Is Ibuprofen Addictive?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

What is the most important information I should know about ibuprofen addiction?Ibuprofen poses risks if consumed in excess of the recommended dosage or over a long period of time.An ibuprofen addiction can put you at risk for an overdose and other serious health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and liver damage.

What is the most important information I should know about ibuprofen addiction?

Ibuprofen poses risks if consumed in excess of the recommended dosage or over a long period of time.An ibuprofen addiction can put you at risk for an overdose and other serious health conditions, including heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and liver damage.

Ibuprofen is a medication classified as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). People take ibuprofen for fevers, aches and pains, headaches, stiffness, and swelling.People who are athletic or work in physically demanding jobs will often reach for a bottle of ibuprofen for pain relief.

Branded versions of ibuprofen include Motrin, Midol, and Advil; however, there are several generic versions as well. While some ibuprofen medications require a prescription, non-prescription strength ibuprofen is available over the counter at most supermarkets and drugstores. Ibuprofen is available in tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, and liquid medication.

Over 11% of ibuprofen users take over the prescribed dosage and have the potential to become dependent on the medication,saysAngeleena Francis, LMHC, Vice President of Operations at AMFM Healthcare.

“Most people think of addiction as either abusingprescription medications, excessive alcohol use, or substances one may obtain in a dark alley, not an over-the-counter medication that is thought to be safe and effective for people as young as 3 months old. However, ibuprofen addiction is real and there can be serious side effects,” says Francis.

Ibuprofen cannot get you “high,” no matter how large a dose you take.

This article explores the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ibuprofen addiction.

Symptoms of an Ibuprofen Addiction

Ibuprofen addiction is not what we think of in the traditional sense, and is more like a misuse of the drug while seeking pain relief. Over time, you may need higher doses to stop the pain and you can have withdrawal symptoms (for example: rebound headaches) when you stop taking them.

Signs of an Overdose

Taking too much ibuprofen could result in anoverdose. The symptoms of an ibuprofen overdose include:

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Diagnosing an Ibuprofen Addiction

If you suspect that you or a loved one have an ibuprofen addiction, Francis recommends seeing alicensed mental healthcare professional right away.

Francis considers ibuprofen addiction a mental health disorder that should be classified as a somatic disorder—similar to other compulsive, addictive, or anxiety-motivated disorders.

Your healthcare provider will conduct a formal assessment of your symptoms and medical history in order to diagnose your condition, determine its severity, and develop a treatment plan.

Causes of Ibuprofen Addiction

Physical Dependence

One in five U.S. adults (over 50 million Americans) suffer from chronic painand taking over-the-counterpain medicationis typically the first line of defense. However, reliance on these types of medications may actuallyincrease pain.

If taken more frequently or at a higher dosage than directed, you may experience more intense and additional symptoms once the medication is discontinued. When the effect of the ibuprofen wears off, you may experiencewithdrawal symptoms, prompting you to take more medication. This creates an addictive cycle.

For example: If you have been depending on ibuprofen to get rid of your daily headaches for more than 30 days, you may have enteredunknowinglyinto that addictive cycle. You can talk with your doctor about getting alternative forms of treatment for your underlying condition. Some physicians may provide a brief prednisone taper to help you get safely off of ibuprofen.

Taking any medication, including over-the-counter medications, should be discussed with your primary care physician.

Physical Impact of Ibuprofen Addiction

Ibuprofen misuse can put you at risk for health conditions such as:

The risk of developing these conditions is higher for those who have been taking ibuprofen for a long time.

Emotional Dependence

Many forms of trauma and depression manifest through physical ailments and, without intervention from a licensed therapist, may be misdiagnosed.

Treating an Ibuprofen Addiction

Mental health treatments includecognitive behavioral therapyand trauma-based therapies to resolve underlying needs currently not being met in a person’s life, which may include acceptance of self, safety, contentment, or feeling in control, says Francis.

Treatment for substance use generally incorporates the following principles:

How to Overcome an Addiction

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Battista DR, Malone MK, Weinstein RB, Shiffman S.Exceeding the daily dosing limit of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among ibuprofen users.Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2018;27(3):322-331. doi:10.1002/pds.4391Godersky ME, Vercammen LK, Ventura AS, Walley AY, Saitz R.Identification of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use disorder: A case report.Addict Behav. 2017;70:61-64. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.008MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen overdose.American Psychiatric Association.What is a substance use disorder?Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr.Chronic pain among adults — United States, 2019–2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2023;72:379–385. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Battista DR, Malone MK, Weinstein RB, Shiffman S.Exceeding the daily dosing limit of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among ibuprofen users.Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2018;27(3):322-331. doi:10.1002/pds.4391Godersky ME, Vercammen LK, Ventura AS, Walley AY, Saitz R.Identification of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use disorder: A case report.Addict Behav. 2017;70:61-64. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.008MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen overdose.American Psychiatric Association.What is a substance use disorder?Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr.Chronic pain among adults — United States, 2019–2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2023;72:379–385. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Battista DR, Malone MK, Weinstein RB, Shiffman S.Exceeding the daily dosing limit of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among ibuprofen users.Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2018;27(3):322-331. doi:10.1002/pds.4391Godersky ME, Vercammen LK, Ventura AS, Walley AY, Saitz R.Identification of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use disorder: A case report.Addict Behav. 2017;70:61-64. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.008MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen overdose.American Psychiatric Association.What is a substance use disorder?Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr.Chronic pain among adults — United States, 2019–2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2023;72:379–385. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1

MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen.

Kaufman DW, Kelly JP, Battista DR, Malone MK, Weinstein RB, Shiffman S.Exceeding the daily dosing limit of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among ibuprofen users.Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2018;27(3):322-331. doi:10.1002/pds.4391

Godersky ME, Vercammen LK, Ventura AS, Walley AY, Saitz R.Identification of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use disorder: A case report.Addict Behav. 2017;70:61-64. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.02.008

MedlinePlus.Ibuprofen overdose.

American Psychiatric Association.What is a substance use disorder?

Rikard SM, Strahan AE, Schmit KM, Guy GP Jr.Chronic pain among adults — United States, 2019–2021.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2023;72:379–385. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7215a1

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