How long does it take to detox from ibuprofen?

In this article:

• How long does ibuprofen stay in your system?
• How to detox
• What to expect
• Side effects of long-term use
• Alternatives

In this article

• How long does ibuprofen stay in your system?
• How to detox
• What to expect
• Side effects of long-term use
• Alternatives

Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mild to moderate pain relief and reduced fever for health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, muscle aches, toothaches, and backaches. 

According to James Lyons, MD, a board-certified physician in psychiatry, family medicine, hospitalist care, and emergency medicine, and the medical consultant for Synergy Houses, while the medication is not addictive, some ibuprofen users may develop a habit of overusing the drug if they’re relying on it for chronic pain management without addressing the root cause of the pain. “This overuse can lead to health risks, but it’s more about habitual misuse than true addiction,” he explains. To detox from ibuprofen, experts recommend making changes to your dieting and lifestyle habits.

How long does ibuprofen stay in your system?

David K. Anderson, MD, an emergency medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer at SALT Hydration & Wellness, says that ibuprofen (if administered at the recommended dose) leaves the body fairly quickly. “A typical 400 milligram (mg) dose is eliminated within 10 to 24 hours,” he says.

Dr. Lyons adds that long-term use of ibuprofen in larger amounts could take a little bit longer for your body to process the residual effects fully.

The length of time ibuprofen stays in your body depends on certain factors that can affect the metabolization (the process by which your body breaks down food and drink into energy) of the medication, such as:

• Other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as fluconazole, aspirin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
• Having less CYP2CP enzyme activity genetically.

How to detox from ibuprofen

Before discussing how to detox from ibuprofen, it’s important to understand how exactly your body metabolizes this medicine. “The body metabolizes ibuprofen through the liver,” Dr. Anderson explains. “More than 99% of the drug is protein-bound and extensively metabolized, with only a small portion excreted unchanged,” he says. “The resulting metabolites are then excreted through the kidneys.”

Now, here’s how to flush ibuprofen from your system, according to Dr. Lyons:

• Drink enough water: “Drinking water to stay hydrated helps your kidneys do their job efficiently,” Dr. Lyons says.
• Avoid alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol to detox from ibuprofen, as Dr. Lyons says that alcohol can strain your liver. Also, combining alcohol with ibuprofen could increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage (i.e., acute renal failure), and liver problems. 
• Adopt healthy eating habits: “Eat a healthy, balanced diet to support your liver and kidney function,” Dr. Lyons says.

Dr. Anderson also recommends taking activated charcoal for ibuprofen detox. Activated charcoal is a black powder made by heating charcoal in the presence of gas. While it is typically taken to treat poisoning, it may also be used for high cholesterol upset stomach—but there’s no scientific research to support this. “If someone has recently taken a potentially harmful dose of ibuprofen, activated charcoal may help reduce its absorption,” he explains. Please speak with a healthcare professional about activated charcoal before using it to detox from ibuprofen. 

In contrast, Dr. Lyons advises against anything beyond changing dieting habits and lifestyle changes to clear this pain reliever and fever reducer out of your system. “For most people, these steps are all that’s needed,” he says. “There’s no need for drastic steps like detox teas or supplements—your body handles it well.”

What to expect during an ibuprofen detox

So, what happens to your body while you detox from ibuprofen? According to Dr. Lyons, ibuprofen doesn’t have addictive properties—so you wouldn’t experience any withdrawal symptoms like sleep problems, restlessness, mood changes, etc. “ However, if you’ve been taking it for chronic pain, you might notice a return of pain or inflammation, which could feel like a rebound effect,” he explains. “This isn’t withdrawal, but it’s a reminder to consider alternative pain management strategies if you’re using ibuprofen long-term.”

Dr. Anderson adds that you might experience symptoms like headaches and irritability, but, again, these are unrelated to withdrawal symptoms, as ibuprofen is not addictive. 

If you want to avoid ibuprofen entirely, Dr. Anderson recommends the following alternative pain management strategies:

• Meditation
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Topical agents, such as capsaicin or arnica
• Rotation of acetaminophen (Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Excedrin) with ibuprofen
• Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) supplementation
• Cannabidiol (CBD) products
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, nutrition, and stress management
• Natural anti-inflammatories, including turmeric or fish oil
  Before pursuing any alternatives to ibuprofen, please consult with your healthcare provider.

Side effects of long-term ibuprofen use

Like any medication, unwanted side effects may occur while taking ibuprofen—especially if it’s for long-term use (more than three days). 

Short-term side effects of ibuprofen may include the following:

• Heartburn
• Gassiness and flatulence
• Stomach pain
• Liver problems
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Constipation

According to Dr. Lyons, long-term use or higher doses of ibuprofen for pain relief may cause the following adverse side effects:

• Stomach issues: Stomach ulcers, irritation, and possibly bleeding in the stomach lining.
• Cardiovascular risks: There’s an increased risk of heart attack or stroke at high doses of ibuprofen.
• Kidney problems: Reduced kidney function or kidney damage may occur in sensitive individuals (e.g., immunocompromised, people with pre-existing health conditions, older adults, etc.).
• Liver issues: In rare instances, excessive use of the painkiller may strain your liver, potentially leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice, swelling, vomiting, and malaise.

In addition, research reveals that chronic use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen could exacerbate several chronic diseases like heart failure and hypertension (high blood pressure) and can cause drug interactions with medications like warfarin and corticosteroids.
Dr. Anderson also adds that people with severe asthma should not take ibuprofen long-term, as it could worsen their symptoms.

“If you’re using ibuprofen daily or over a long period, it’s worth consulting a healthcare provider to explore safer options,” Dr. Lyons says.

Alternative pain management options

If you’re feeling a bit weary about using ibuprofen for pain relief, there are other options you can consider.

Dr. Anderson has several suggestions for alternative therapies to ibuprofen, including:

• Oral prescription medications: “Celecoxib (Celebrex) offers similar benefits to ibuprofen but often with fewer gastrointestinal issues,” Dr. Anderson says. Other alternatives to ibuprofen include prescription medications like acetaminophen, tramadol, oxaprozin, indomethacin, meloxicam, piroxicam, and naproxen.
• Topical medications: “Capsaicin and arnica ointments can be applied directly to painful areas,” Dr. Anderson says. “Voltaren gel (diclofenac) can provide targeted relief with fewer systemic side effects.” The lidocaine patch is another option, as it is a patch that treats nerve pain from herpes zoster or shingles.
• Therapeutic and behavioral approaches: “Physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, and acupuncture can help alleviate pain by improving circulation, reducing muscle tension, and promoting proper body mechanics,” Dr. Anderson says. “Meditation, stress reduction techniques, and CBT can address the psychological components of chronic pain.”
• Lifestyle changes: “Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and stress management can further reduce inflammation and improve overall well-being,” Dr. Anderson explains.

“By combining these holistic, medical, and behavioral strategies, individuals can find effective, personalized ways to manage pain without relying heavily on ibuprofen,” Dr. Anderson says.

While ibuprofen can be a great medication for quick pain relief, Dr. Lyons advises against using it long-term. “If you’re concerned about its use, there are plenty of effective alternatives to explore,” he says. “Working with a healthcare provider can help you create a plan that addresses your needs while minimizing risks.”