What is the half-life of ibuprofen (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)?

Ibuprofen Half-Life

The half-life of ibuprofen is 1.8 to 2.0 hours, making it a short-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). 1

Pharmacokinetic Properties of Ibuprofen

• Ibuprofen is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with peak serum levels generally attained within 1-2 hours after administration 1
• The drug is rapidly metabolized and eliminated primarily through the urine 1
• Excretion of ibuprofen is virtually complete 24 hours after the last dose 1
• After ingestion, 45% to 79% of the dose is recovered in urine within 24 hours as metabolites, with only approximately 1% as free ibuprofen and 14% as conjugated ibuprofen 1

Clinical Implications of Ibuprofen's Short Half-Life

• Due to its short half-life, ibuprofen requires more frequent dosing compared to NSAIDs with longer half-lives 2, 3
• For perioperative management, ibuprofen's reversible antiplatelet properties and short half-life (2-6 hours) are advantageous compared to irreversible antiplatelet drugs like aspirin 2
• When interrupting ibuprofen before surgery, its short half-life allows for quicker restoration of platelet function compared to NSAIDs with longer half-lives such as naproxen (7-15 hours) or piroxicam (approximately 20 hours) 2

Comparison with Other NSAIDs

• Ibuprofen has one of the shortest half-lives among commonly used NSAIDs 2:
  • Short half-life NSAIDs (2-6 hours): ibuprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin 2
  • Medium half-life NSAIDs (7-15 hours): celecoxib, naproxen, diflunisal 2
  • Long half-life NSAIDs (approximately 20 hours): meloxicam, nabumetone, piroxicam 2

Safety Considerations

• The short plasma elimination half-life of ibuprofen contributes to its relatively favorable safety profile, particularly at over-the-counter doses 4
• The limited residence time of ibuprofen in the body may account for the low gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal risks compared to some other NSAIDs, especially at OTC doses 4
• Ibuprofen's short half-life and lack of development of pathologically related metabolites (unlike paracetamol or aspirin) support its low toxic potential 4

Special Considerations

• Food intake may reduce the rate of absorption but does not appreciably decrease the extent of absorption 1
• Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide do not significantly interfere with ibuprofen absorption 1
• For perioperative management, ibuprofen can be safely discontinued closer to surgery than NSAIDs with longer half-lives 2

Clinical Pearls

• When used for pain management, the short half-life may necessitate more frequent dosing (every 4-6 hours) to maintain therapeutic effect 1, 4
• The relatively short half-life contributes to ibuprofen's safety profile but may result in less convenient dosing schedules compared to longer-acting NSAIDs 4, 5
• For acute pain conditions, the rapid absorption and short half-life allow for quick onset of action but shorter duration of effect 1, 5