It also reduces the swelling and tenderness of inflammation due to arthritis and other conditions.
Many people take ibuprofen instead of aspirin because it is thought to cause fewer side effects.
But like aspirin, ibuprofen can irritate the stomach and cause minor stomach bleeding and nausea. People who are allergic to aspirin are also usually allergic to ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is the most widely used of a group of drugs called propionic acid derivatives. These drugs were developed during the 1960's and early 1970's. At first, ibuprofen could be obtained only with a doctor's prescription.