Drug interactions
Emtricitabine + Ibuprofen
Severity: Moderate
Emtricitabine and Ibuprofen: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Emtricitabine is eliminated by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion, and NSAIDs can reduce renal function and compete for secretion. With high or repeated NSAID doses, emtricitabine exposure may rise and renal adverse effects may become more likely.
What this interaction means in plain words
Emtricitabine and Ibuprofen can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Emtricitabine belongs to Anti Virals; Ibuprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
NSAID-related reduction in renal perfusion and possible competition for tubular secretion decreases renal clearance of emtricitabine.
What to do
Prefer paracetamol or non-pharmacological options when high-dose or prolonged NSAID use would be needed. Monitor renal function if the combination continues.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Emtricitabine and Ibuprofen, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ibuprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ibuprofen Major
- Amiloride + Ibuprofen Major
- Apixaban + Ibuprofen Major
Other interactions of Emtricitabine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Emtricitabine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Elivaldogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lamivudine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lovotibeglogene autotemcel Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Emtricitabine with Ibuprofen?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Emtricitabine and Ibuprofen can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Emtricitabine is eliminated by glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion, and NSAIDs can reduce renal function and compete for secretion. With high or repeated NSAID doses, emtricitabine exposure may rise and renal adverse effects may become more likely.
How serious is the interaction between Emtricitabine and Ibuprofen?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer paracetamol or non-pharmacological options when high-dose or prolonged NSAID use would be needed. Monitor renal function if the combination continues.
What other medicines interact with Ibuprofen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ibuprofen with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Acemetacin. The full list is on the Ibuprofen page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
