Drug Database
IB

ibuprofen (ibuprofen, Nordmark / ibuprofen, Pacific / ibuprofen, Bracco)

✓ Approved

Bracco · PTGS1 · Small Molecule

What is ibuprofen?

ibuprofen is a small molecule developed by Bracco. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand Namesibuprofen, Nordmark, ibuprofen, Pacific, ibuprofen, Bracco
CompanyBracco
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetPTGS1, PTGS2
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Bracco

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

ibuprofen acts on 2 molecular targets:

PTGS1prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (COX3, PCOX1)
PTGS2prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (GRIPGHS, hCox-2)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

ibuprofen is developed for 2 unique indications across 2 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Gastrointestinal disordersAbdominal pain✓ Approved
Hepatobiliary disordersHepatitis✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedThe International journal on drug policy2026-08-30

Substance use-related stigma and injection-related bacterial infections among people who inject drugs in Montreal.

Horvat Keesha K, Bruneau Julie J, Knight Rodney R, Martel-Laferrière Valérie V et al.

Evidence quantifying dimensions of stigma and their health impacts among people who inject drugs (PWID) remains limited. We characterized substance use-related stigma dimensions among PWID and estimated their associations with injection-related bacterial infections (IRBIs). We conducted a cross-sectional study nested within a prospective cohort of PWID in Montréal (August 2024-November 2025). Substance use-related stigma was measured using the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS), capturing three mechanisms (enacted/anticipated/internalized); enacted and anticipated stigma were further stratified by source (family/healthcare workers). Mean scores were computed for each dimension (range 1-5) and dichotomized as low (<4) or high (≥4); any stigma was defined as high if ≥1 mechanism was high. IRBIs in the past three months included skin/soft tissue infections, bone/joint infections, sepsis, or endocarditis. Associations with IRBIs were estimated for each stigma mechanism, and by source, using Poisson regression with robust standard errors. Among 377 PWID, high enacted, anticipated, and internalized stigma were reported by 10%, 10%, and 9%, respectively. High stigma on any mechanism was reported by 20%. By source, high family-related stigma was more prevalent than healthcare-related stigma for both enacted (30% vs 11%) and anticipated stigma (26% vs 12%). Recent IRBIs were reported by 23% of participants. Associations with recent IRBIs were strongest for enacted stigma, with those reporting high (vs low) levels twice as likely to report one (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=2.1; 95%CI: 1.4-3.1); however, associations were modest and inconclusive for anticipated (aPR=1.3; 95%CI: 0.8-2.1) and internalized stigma (aPR=1.2; 95%CI: 0.7-2.2). When stratified by source, enacted stigma remained associated with IRBIs whether from family or healthcare workers, whereas anticipated stigma showed no clear association from either source. One in five PWID experienced high substance use-related stigma on at least one of the three mechanisms. Findings underscore the multifaceted, harmful impact of stigma on PWID health and the need to address stigma from both family members and healthcare workers.

PMID 42669224
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PubMedKidney medicine2026-08-30

NSAID-Induced Acute Interstitial Nephritis Concurrent With IgA Vasculitis: A Case-Based Systematic Review.

Caputo Carmela C, Sessa Concetto C, Serio Vittorio V, Baciga Federica F et al.

Overlap between acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and glomerulonephritis is uncommon and diagnostically challenging. We present the first pediatric case of clinically diagnosed immunoglobulin A vasculitis nephritis (IgAV-N) concurrent with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced AIN. A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized for recurrent gastroenteritis, purpura, and arthralgia treated with ibuprofen. After 5 days, he developed stage 3 acute kidney injury, subnephrotic proteinuria, hypertension, and oligoanuria. Kidney biopsy showed mild to moderate interstitial inflammation with tubulitis; immunofluorescence was negative for glomerular IgA, with nonspecific tubular C3 staining. After NSAID discontinuation, 10 dialysis sessions, and corticosteroids, kidney function recovered completely within 3 months. To support the clinical lesson highlighted by our case, we conducted a systematic review of biopsy-confirmed AIN-glomerulonephritis overlap. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for biopsy-confirmed AIN with concurrent glomerulonephritis. Clinical features, etiologies, treatments, and outcomes were extracted. Systematic review identified 8 studies (12 patients). Drug-related AIN predominated (9 of 12), followed by infection (2 of 12) and autoimmune disease (1 of 12). Nephrotic-range proteinuria was described in 6, hematuria in 8, and hypersensitivity findings in 7 of the 12 patients. Complete recovery occurred in 7 and partial recovery in 3 patients, and dialysis was required in 2 of the 12 patients. NSAID-induced AIN concurrent with IgA vasculitis nephritis should be suspected in atypical acute kidney injury.

PMID 42668581
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PubMedCureus2026-08-29

Pharmacists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices and Healthcare Stakeholders' Perspectives on Clinical Pharmacy Services in Referral Hospitals in Mainland Tanzania: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Mutagonda Ritah F RF, Kilonzi Manase M, Mwakawanga Dorkasi D, Marealle Alphonce I AI et al.

Background Clinical pharmacy services (CPS) support safe, effective, and rational medicine use. In Tanzania, CPS is a core professional responsibility of pharmacists, but evidence on hospital implementation remains limited. This study assessed pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices and explored stakeholder perspectives on CPS implementation in referral hospitals. Methods  A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in 17 regions of mainland Tanzania during August-September 2021. The quantitative component included 251 pharmacists. The qualitative component included in-depth interviews of 14 hospital administrators and focus group discussions of 83 pharmacists, medical doctors, and nurses. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results  Most pharmacists had adequate knowledge of CPS (96.0%), whereas 48.6% had negative attitudes and 47.8% reported poor practice. Prescription review and dispensing-related activities were reported more frequently than ward-round participation, treatment planning, and clinical documentation. Facility level was associated with practice; pharmacists in regional referral hospitals had a lower prevalence of good practice than those at the national hospital (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR)=0.43, 95% CI: 0.33-0.55; p<0.001). Qualitative findings confirmed recognition of pharmacists' clinical value but identified staffing shortages, workload, weak institutional integration, and limited operational guidance as major barriers. Doctors and nurses generally viewed pharmacists' involvement in direct patient care positively. Conclusion Pharmacists demonstrated high awareness and conceptual understanding of CPS, but comprehensive implementation remained limited. Strengthening CPS will require adequate staffing, institutional support, clearly defined clinical roles, practical training and mentorship, operational guidance, and structured interprofessional collaboration.

PMID 42666646
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PubMedKidney international reports2026-08-28

Comparing Ibuprofen and Loop Diuretics for Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins Clearance During Hemodialysis.

Escudero-Saiz Víctor Joaquín VJ, Cuadrado-Payán Elena E, Rodríguez-García María M, Casals Gregori G et al.

Protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs), such as indoxyl sulphate (IS) and p-cresyl sulphate (pCS) are associated with cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Because of their high albumin affinity, conventional dialysis techniques achieve poor clearance. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of different competitive binding displacement strategies using ibuprofen and loop diuretics during online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). A longitudinal, cross-over study in 12 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis was performed. Each patient underwent 6 different dialysis modalities based on postdilutional HDF. The experimental arms included the following: (i) Standard postdilutional HDF (control), (ii) High-flux hemodialysis (HF-HD) (iii) Oral furosemide 1h predialysis, (iv) Oral torasemide 1h predialysis, (v) 1h arterial infusion of furosemide, and (vi) 1h arterial infusion of ibuprofen. Reduction ratios (RR) for IS and pCS were calculated for each session. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc correction. Arterial administration of ibuprofen was the only strategy that significantly enhanced PBUT removal, achieving mean RR of 65% for IS and 60% for pCS (P < 0.05 vs. baseline OL-HDF). In contrast, neither oral nor arterial administration of loop diuretics showed a statistically significant increase in the RR of IS or pCS when compared with OL-HDF. No acute adverse events were reported during the pharmacological interventions. Prefilter arterial infusion of ibuprofen is the most effective strategy for increasing the intradialytic clearance of IS and pCS during OL-HDF. The lack of efficacy observed with furosemide suggests a ceiling effect in high-volume HDF, where only high-affinity competitors can further displace PBUTs from albumin-binding sites. Pharmacological displacement represents a promising adjunct to convective therapies to optimize protein-bound uremic toxin removal.

PMID 42662542
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PubMedJournal of minimal access surgery2026-08-28

Surgical management of rectal cancer: Analysis of procedural patterns and perioperative outcomes in 510 patients.

Lone Amir Zaffar AZ, Teeli Mehraj Ul Islam MUI, Parray Fazl-Ul-Qadir FU, Batool Anna A et al.

Effective surgical therapy of rectal cancer necessitates meticulous selection of suitable surgical procedures contingent upon tumour location, stage and patient characteristics. This research examines surgical procedural trends and results in a tertiary care facility in Kashmir. A 7-year retrospective-prospective research examined 510 rectal cancer patients who had surgical treatment at SKIMS. Surgical interventions were classified as local excision, low anterior resection (LAR), abdominoperineal resection (APR), Hartmann's technique and palliative operations. Data about surgical approaches (open, laparoscopic and robotic), perioperative parameters and complications were gathered and analysed. Out of 510 patients, 36 (7.05%) had transanal excision, 280 (54.9%) underwent LAR, 145 (28.4%) received APR, 35 (6.9%) were treated with Hartmann's surgery and 14 (2.7%) had unresectable disease necessitating palliative interventions. In the cohort undergoing neoadjuvant treatment, the rates of sphincter-preserving surgery were significantly elevated (62.5% compared to 45.1%, P < 0.05). A laparoscopic technique was employed in 178 individuals (34.9%). Conversion to open surgery was performed in 18 instances (10.1%). This institutional experience illustrates the progression of surgical practices, highlighting the growing implementation of sphincter-preserving techniques and less invasive methods. Neoadjuvant treatment profoundly impacts surgical decision-making, facilitating an increased number of sphincter-preserving surgeries. Persistent focus on entire mesorectal excision principles and judicious application of sophisticated surgical methods can enhance oncological and functional results.

PMID 42663975
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PubMedPloS one2026-08-28

Occupation is a significant independent predictor of hypocalcemia among diabetic patients in Jinja, Uganda.

Said Abdirahman Ibrahim AI, Hussein Mustafe M, Olet Stephen Charles SC, Hersi Abshir Mohamoud AM et al.

Electrolyte disturbances are common among patients with diabetes mellitus and contribute significantly to morbidity. Hypocalcemia, an often-overlooked abnormality, may be influenced by both medical and lifestyle factors, particularly in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypocalcemia and identify its associated determinants among diabetic patients attending Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 374 adult diabetic patients at the medical outpatient clinic of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. Participants were consecutively enrolled, and data were collected using structured questionnaires and laboratory investigations. Serum calcium levels were measured, with hypocalcemia defined as <2.2 mmol/L. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence, while bivariate and multivariate analyses (modified Poisson regression) identified factors associated with hypocalcemia. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The prevalence of hypocalcemia was 28.9% (95% CI: 24.5-33.7). At bivariate analysis, significant associations were observed with occupation, social support, duration of diabetes, BMI, waist circumference, random blood glucose, and medication adherence. However, in multivariate analysis, only occupation remained independently associated with hypocalcemia. Civil servants had a significantly higher prevalence compared to farmers (aPR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.07-3.43; p = 0.030). Hypocalcemia is highly prevalent among diabetic patients in this setting. Occupation, particularly indoor-based work such as civil service, is an independent predictor, likely reflecting reduced sunlight exposure and possible vitamin D deficiency. Routine screening for calcium abnormalities and targeted interventions addressing lifestyle factors are recommended to improve comprehensive diabetes care.

PMID 42664241
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