What Is Nurofen Made Of: Composition and Ingredients Explained

Nurofen is a widely used pain relief medication primarily composed of ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Some variants also include additional ingredients like codeine or pseudoephedrine for specific types of pain relief. Understanding its composition is crucial for safe and effective use, as it helps in managing pain while being aware of potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

Active Ingredient

Nurofen contains ibuprofen, which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Ibuprofen works by blocking the production of prostaglandins, chemicals in the body that cause inflammation and pain. By inhibiting these chemicals, ibuprofen helps reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and lower fever. This makes Nurofen effective for treating various conditions like headaches, muscle pain, and arthritis.

Formulations

Here are the different formulations of Nurofen and their specific uses:

1. Ibuprofen Free Acid:

   • Form: Conventional solid tablets, caplets, or soft gel caps.
   • Uses: General pain relief, including headaches, dental pain, and menstrual cramps. It is absorbed more slowly compared to ibuprofen lysine.

2. Ibuprofen Lysine Salt:

   • Form: Often found in fast-acting formulations.
   • Uses: Rapid pain relief, such as for tension headaches. It is absorbed nearly twice as fast as ibuprofen free acid, reaching peak blood concentrations quicker.

Both formulations are effective for reducing inflammation and pain, but the lysine salt version is preferred when faster relief is needed.

Additional Ingredients

Sure, here are the other ingredients in Nurofen, along with their purposes:

• Microcrystalline cellulose: Filler and binder.
• Croscarmellose sodium: Disintegrant.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate: Surfactant.
• Hypromellose: Binder and coating agent.
• Stearic acid: Lubricant.
• Titanium dioxide: Coating agent.
• Macrogol 400: Plasticizer in the coating.
• Sucrose: Sweetener and filler.
• Sodium benzoate: Preservative.

These ingredients help in the formulation, stability, and effectiveness of the medication.

Variants

Here are some of the key Nurofen products and their specific ingredients:

1. Nurofen 200mg Tablets: Contains 200mg of ibuprofen. It’s commonly used for general pain relief, including headaches, dental pain, and muscular pain.

2. Nurofen 400mg Tablets: Contains 400mg of ibuprofen. This higher dose is effective for more intense pain such as migraines, period pain, and rheumatic pain.

3. Nurofen Cold & Flu: Combines 200mg of ibuprofen with 30mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. This formulation targets symptoms of cold and flu, providing both pain relief and decongestion.

4. Nurofen Plus: Contains 200mg of ibuprofen and 12.8mg of codeine phosphate. This variant is designed for more severe pain, combining the anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen with the opioid pain relief of codeine.

5. Nurofen Tension Headache: Uses ibuprofen lysine, which is absorbed faster than regular ibuprofen, making it effective for quick relief from tension headaches.

Each product is tailored to address specific types of pain, ensuring targeted and effective relief.

Nurofen: A Widely Used Pain Relief Medication

Nurofen is a widely used pain relief medication primarily composed of ibuprofen, an NSAID that works by blocking prostaglandins to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

Its formulation includes additional ingredients like codeine or pseudoephedrine for specific types of pain relief. The composition of Nurofen is crucial for safe and effective use, as it helps manage pain while being aware of potential side effects and interactions with other medications.