Brufen 400mg — Uses, Dosage, Side Effects Pakistan

What Is Brufen 400?

Brufen is Abbott Laboratories' brand name for ibuprofen. It belongs to the NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) class — it works against pain, inflammation, and fever.

What Is Brufen 400 Used For?

1. Pain Relief

• Headache, migraine
• Toothache
• Period cramps (most effective OTC option)
• Body aches, muscle pain
• Joint pain (arthritis)
• Back pain
• Post-surgery pain

2. Inflammation

• Arthritis (rheumatoid and osteoarthritis)
• Tendinitis and bursitis
• Sports injuries
• Sprains and strains

3. Fever

• Seasonal viral fever
• Bacterial infections (alongside antibiotics)
• NOT for dengue fever — bleeding risk

4. Specific Conditions

• Migraine attack
• Gout flare
• Kidney stone pain (combined with antispasmodic)

Dosage

Adults (12 and Over):

• Single dose: 200–400 mg every 4–6 hours
• OTC maximum per 24 hours: 1,200 mg (3 tablets of 400 mg)
• Prescription maximum: 2,400 mg (6 tablets) per day
• Always take after food — protect your stomach
• Onset: 30–60 minutes
• Duration: 4–6 hours

For Children (Brufen Syrup):

Dose depends on weight — 10 mg/kg every 6–8 hours:

• 3–6 months (5–7 kg): 2.5 ml — only with doctor's guidance
• 6–12 months (7–10 kg): 2.5 ml
• 1–3 years (10–15 kg): 5 ml
• 4–6 years (15–20 kg): 7.5 ml
• 7–10 years (20–30 kg): 10 ml

For babies under 6 months: Avoid Brufen — use Calpol instead.

When to Take Brufen

• At the start of pain — do not wait
• For period cramps, begin 1 day before your period starts
• After food or with a glass of milk
• Drink plenty of water

Brufen Side Effects

Common (Mild):

• Stomach upset, nausea
• Acidity, heartburn
• Headache (paradoxically)
• Mild dizziness

Serious:

• Stomach ulcer and bleeding — the greatest danger
• Kidney damage — with long-term use
• Increased risk of heart attack/stroke — high-dose long-term
• Allergic reactions — rash, asthma attack
• Liver problems (rare)
• Elevated blood pressure
• Fluid retention

When to ABSOLUTELY Avoid Brufen

• Dengue fever — bleeding risk (use Panadol only)
• Third trimester of pregnancy — fetal heart and kidney problems
• Active stomach ulcer
• Severe kidney disease
• Heart failure
• Allergy to NSAIDs
• Asthma (severe NSAID-sensitive cases)
• Bleeding disorders
• Babies under 6 months

Brufen 400 vs Panadol

Drug Interactions

• Aspirin: Dangerous combination (increased bleeding)
• Warfarin (Coumadin): Significantly increased bleeding risk
• Blood pressure medicines: Reduced effect (ACE inhibitors, ARBs)
• Diuretics: Increased kidney damage risk
• Lithium: Toxicity
• Methotrexate: Toxicity
• Steroids: Doubled stomach ulcer risk
• Alcohol: Increased stomach bleeding risk

Protecting Your Stomach

If you need to use Brufen long-term:

• Take with food or a glass of milk
• Drink plenty of water
• Never take on an empty stomach
• Discuss an acid reducer (Risek 20, Pantop) with your doctor
• Do not use for more than 2 weeks without medical advice

Brufen Overdose

Symptoms include:

• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Vomiting blood or black tarry stools
• Drowsiness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Confusion
• Seizures (in severe cases)

Action: Call 1122 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Activated charcoal is effective if given within 1 hour.

Available Brands in Pakistan

All contain the same ibuprofen:

• Brufen (Abbott)
• Profen (CCL Pharma)
• Inflam (Highnoon)
• Ibugesic (Cipla)
• Ibuprofen generic

Stronger NSAIDs (Prescription Required)

• Diclofenac (Voltral, Dyclomex 75): Stronger; also available as a gel
• Naproxen (Naprosyn): Long-acting
• Meloxicam (Mobic): Selective COX-2 inhibitor
• Celecoxib (Celebrex): Lower stomach risk; more expensive

Common Misuse in Pakistan

• Taking on an empty stomach
• Using for more than 2 weeks without a doctor
• Combining with blood pressure medicines without monitoring
• Using in dengue fever
• Taking during pregnancy without medical advice
• Continuing use when kidney problems are present

Conclusion

Brufen 400 is a powerful painkiller and anti-inflammatory widely available in Pakistan that is very effective for period cramps, joint pain, and muscle injuries. However, it carries risks of stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and bleeding in dengue. Always take after food, maximum 3 tablets per day OTC, no longer than 2 weeks without a doctor's advice. Completely avoid in the third trimester of pregnancy. Use Ilaaj AI for doctor consultation and guidance on safe alternatives and correct dosing.