Drug interactions
Ibuprofen + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Ibuprofen and Prednisone: 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
Taking a corticosteroid with an NSAID increases the risk of gastric ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. The risk is greater with higher doses, longer use and older age.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibuprofen and Prednisone 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.
Ibuprofen belongs to Musculoskeletal; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
NSAIDs reduce protective prostaglandins while corticosteroids impair mucosal healing, producing additive gastrointestinal injury.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and add a proton pump inhibitor in patients at risk of ulcers.
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?
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Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Ibuprofen
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Ibuprofen + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Ibuprofen Major
- Alteplase + Ibuprofen Major
- Amiloride + Ibuprofen Major
- Apixaban + Ibuprofen Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ibuprofen with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ibuprofen and Prednisone 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. Taking a corticosteroid with an NSAID increases the risk of gastric ulceration and gastrointestinal bleeding. The risk is greater with higher doses, longer use and older age.
How serious is the interaction between Ibuprofen and Prednisone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration and add a proton pump inhibitor in patients at risk of ulcers.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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