Can you take ibuprofen for ear pain?

In this article:

• Can you take ibuprofen for ear pain?
• Ibuprofen dosage for ear pain
• Tylenol or ibuprofen for ear pain: Which is better?
• Earache vs. ear infection
• Ibuprofen side effects
• Who should not take ibuprofen for ear pain

In this article

• Can you take ibuprofen for ear pain?
• Ibuprofen dosage for ear pain
• Tylenol or ibuprofen for ear pain: Which is better?
• Earache vs. ear infection
• Ibuprofen side effects
• Who should not take ibuprofen for ear pain

Ibuprofen is a type of medication called a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It’s sold both over the counter and by prescription. Ibuprofen is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammatory and rheumatoid disorders. It can be taken by adults, children, and infants 6 months and older to treat numerous conditions and ailments, including mild-to-moderate pain, inflammation, fever, period cramps, headaches, sore throats, and osteoarthritis. Ibuprofen is the name of the generic drug that is also sold under familiar brand names like Advil and Motrin.

If you are experiencing ear pain, you may be wondering what OTC pain relievers in your medicine cabinet are the best options for symptom relief. This may be especially true if you have a young child with ear pain or fever. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about ibuprofen for ear pain, including when to take it, how much to take, any side effects to watch for, and when to get further evaluation to manage your ear pain.

Can you take ibuprofen for ear pain?

Ibuprofen is approved to treat pain and inflammation, but the FDA label doesn’t mention ear pain specifically. Nonetheless, healthcare providers often recommend ibuprofen to treat some of the symptoms of various ear conditions.

“Ibuprofen is often a solid choice for managing ear pain,” says Taher Saifullah, MD, pain management specialist and founder of Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles. “It’s an anti-inflammatory, which means it can help reduce swelling and provide relief from discomfort,” he says. “If a child is experiencing ear pain—perhaps due to allergies or a common cold—ibuprofen can make a significant difference.”

Don Beasley, MD, ENT, and head of Boise ENT, agrees. “As an otolaryngologist with over 20 years of experience, I often recommend ibuprofen as a helpful medication for managing ear pain, especially in cases related to inflammation, such as middle ear infections or sinus-related ear discomfort,” he says. Dr. Beasley explains that ibuprofen’s anti-inflammatory properties can decrease both the swelling and pain often associated with ear conditions.

“At the same time, you don’t want to rely solely on ibuprofen if you don’t know yet what is causing your ear pain,” Dr. Saifullah explains. He says that ibuprofen will help ease pain associated with an ear infection (otitis media), for example, but it won’t address the bacterial infection itself. “In those cases, a doctor might recommend antibiotics,” he says.

Seeing a healthcare provider for ear pain is especially important for young children, who are prone to ear infections and can’t always describe the pain or discomfort they are experiencing. “If your child is crying or seems unusually uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional to pinpoint the issue,” Dr. Saifullah recommends.

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Ibuprofen dosage for ear pain

Maybe you’ve decided—along with your healthcare provider—that ibuprofen is a good choice for your ear pain or for your child’s ear pain. The next question on your mind might be: How much ibuprofen can I take for ear pain? You may also want to know if you should just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the label or go with a different dosage.

When it comes to mild-to-moderate pain, the usual ibuprofen dosage for adults is 400 milligrams (mg) every four to six hours. According to Raj Dasgupta, MD, a quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine, it’s a good idea to go with what’s printed on the medication bottle. “It’s usually best to stick to the recommended dose on the bottle based on your age and weight,” he explains. “Adults can usually take 200–400 mg every four to six hours, but for children, it’s important to dose based on their weight, so follow the guidelines carefully or check with your doctor.”

Indeed, dosing of ibuprofen for kids can be a bit tricky, which is why it’s vital that you ask your child’s healthcare provider for medical advice. “For children, it’s particularly important to measure the dose accurately, as overdosing can lead to serious side effects,” Dr. Saifullah emphasizes. “If you’re ever unsure about the correct dosage, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician.” Your child’s healthcare provider can help you navigate the appropriate dose based on your child’s specific health profile and situation.

“It’s always better to be cautious, especially when it comes to our little ones,” Dr. Saifullah says. In addition to calculating the right dose based on age and weight, they can also advise you on whether to give your child a liquid formulation, chewable tablet, dissolvable tablet, or a capsule that can be swallowed. This would be based on your child’s age, weight, and developmental maturity.

As the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP) explains, there are certain tips to keep in mind as you administer ibuprofen to your child, such as:

• Never use ibuprofen in a child under 6 months old, unless specified by your child’s healthcare provider.
• If your child is under 6 years old, don’t give them medications that have multiple active ingredients, like common cold medication combinations. 
• Measure liquid medications using a syringe that measures doses in milliliters (mL).
• Use measuring instruments that come with the medication. Do not estimate measurements using kitchen spoons.
• Give your child correctly measured ibuprofen every six to eight hours as needed for pain or fever.

Tylenol or ibuprofen for ear pain: Which is better?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) is another popular pain reliever that’s often recommended for ear pain. So, what’s better—Tylenol or ibuprofen for ear pain?

“Ibuprofen is often better for ear pain since it reduces inflammation and pain, while Tylenol just tackles the pain part,” says Dr. Dasgupta. “But if inflammation isn’t an issue, or if someone has a sensitive stomach, Tylenol can be a good alternative,” he says. Essentially, it depends on the individual and what’s going on with them.

Dr. Saifullah says both Tylenol and ibuprofen are good options for ear pain, but they have different benefits. “Tylenol is excellent for pain relief but doesn’t tackle inflammation, which means it may not be as effective if swelling is present,” he explains. “On the other hand, ibuprofen addresses both pain and inflammation, making it a potentially better option if there’s noticeable swelling or if the ear pain is linked to a condition like an ear infection.”

For children, one advantage of Tylenol is it can be given to younger babies. Although ibuprofen shouldn’t be given to children under 6 months, Tylenol can be given to children 12 weeks and older. In some cases, it can be given to even younger infants, but only with a healthcare provider’s recommendation.

“Ultimately, whether to take Tylenol or ibuprofen for ear pain comes down to what works best for you or your child’s situation,” Dr. Saifullah says. “If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider for medical advice on which option might be best.”

Earache vs. ear infection

In order to properly treat ear pain, it’s important to determine what’s causing the pain. Dr. Beasley says there are some key differences between earaches and ear infections. “Ear pain can be caused by various conditions like earwax buildup, sinus pressure, or jaw problems, whereas an ear infection often involves fluid buildup and inflammation in the middle ear.” He says ibuprofen can help you manage the pain from either condition, but it won’t cure a bacterial or viral infection.

Dr. Dasgupta says that if you have an ear infection, you may need to take an antibiotic. However, whether a healthcare provider will prescribe an antibiotic will depend on several factors, including how advanced the infection is. Some healthcare providers prefer to wait and see if the pain clears on its own before prescribing antibiotics. That’s because of something called antibiotic resistance. Each time you take an antibiotic, there is a risk that the bacteria causing the infection will become resistant to the antibiotic, making it important to only take antibiotics when you absolutely need them. Antibiotics won’t work on viral infections anyway, and you don’t need antibiotics for every bacterial ear infection. Regardless, if you suspect an ear infection, you should have a healthcare provider check it out.

RELATED: Can you take ibuprofen with antibiotics?

How might you know whether you or your child has a possible ear infection? An ear infection is often accompanied by other signs like fever or drainage from the ear, Dr. Saifullah notes. “If your child has a persistent fever or shows signs of severe discomfort, seeking medical attention is critical,” he advises. “It can make a world of difference in ensuring they feel better sooner.”

Ibuprofen side effects

At times, ibuprofen can cause unpleasant side effects. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, with clinical trials finding that 4% to 16% of people taking ibuprofen experience GI side effects, like constipation, gas, or bloating. Other possible side effects include dizziness, nervousness, and a ringing in your ears.

Serious side effects of ibuprofen that require immediate medical attention include:

• Shortness of breath
• Swelling or unexplained weight gain
• Fever
• Rash
• Hives
• Excessive fatigue
• Racing heartbeat
• Pain in your upper right side
• Blurry vision

Additionally, Dr. Dasgupta points out that ibuprofen can cause ulcers. “Ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers, especially if you take it for a long time or at high doses,” he says. “It’s an NSAID that can affect your stomach’s ability to protect itself from acid, which can lead to inflammation and ulcers.”

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any new or worsening symptoms while taking ibuprofen.

Who should not take ibuprofen for ear pain

There are certain individuals who shouldn’t take ibuprofen for ear pain, or who should talk to a healthcare professional before taking it. This includes:

• Any baby under 6 months old
• Anyone with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to ibuprofen
• Anyone with an allergy or sensitivity to the ingredients in the ibuprofen formulation you are taking 
• Anyone considering taking it before coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, as ibuprofen is contraindicated in these instances

Additionally, Dr. Dasgupta points out that excessive ibuprofen use can result in acute kidney injury, which can lead to mild kidney issues or even serious kidney failure. He says NSAID pain medications like ibuprofen can interact with other medications, like blood thinners. “If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney problems, you should be careful with ibuprofen. Pregnant individuals should steer clear of it altogether,” he adds.