When two or more medicines are taken at the same time, the effects of one medicine can be altered by the other.

This is known as a drug-drug interaction. In some cases, it may not be safe to take one medicine with another because of this interaction.

Ibuprofen, including ibuprofen products applied to the skin (such as gels), can interact with the following medicines:

• aspirin – an antiplatelet medicine used to reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke 
• ciclosporin – used to treat inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• colestyramine – used to treat itching
• fluconazole – used to treat certain types of fungal infections
• lithium – used to treat depression, mania, bipolar disorder, self-harming and aggressive behaviour
• methotrexate – used to treat some types of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis
• mifepristone – used to terminate pregnancy
• tacrolimus – used to prevent organ rejection during organ transplants
• voriconazole – used to treat fungal infections, such as aspergillosis (a range of infections that are caused by a fungal mould called aspergillus)
• warfarin – an anticoagulant medicine, used to stop the blood from clotting
• zidovudine – used to treat HIV

Ibuprofen can also interact with ginkgo biloba, a controversial dietary supplement some people claim can treat memory problems and dementia.

To check that your medicines are safe to take with paracetamol, you can:

• ask your GP or local pharmacist
• read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine
• check the medicines information tab at the top of this page

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Ibuprofen is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). These have many interactions with other medicines, including:

• some types of antidepressants, which are used to treat depression
• beta-blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
• diuretics, which reduce the amount of fluid in your body

Do not take more than one type of NSAID at a time or you will have an increased risk of developing side effects.

Read more information about medicines that interact with NSAIDs.