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When you have muscle aches or joint pain, ibuprofen can work wonders. It’s also helpful for menstrual cramps, headaches, toothaches, and reducing fever.

Ibuprofen works by stopping your body from producing a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation. In that way, it’s one of the most flexible pain relievers.

But is it safe to take ibuprofen every day?

The short answer is no. Ibuprofen may feel like a miracle drug for certain aches and pains, but taking it is best on an as-needed basis versus for chronic pain management.

Here are some key points about ibuprofen safety as well as natural ways to manage pain.

What Is Ibuprofen?

Over-the-counter (OTC) ibuprofen includes brands like Advil and Motrin. Doctors also prescribe stronger versions of ibuprofen for conditions like arthritis.

Ibuprofen is part of a class of medicines called NSAIDs, meaning nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. As the name suggests, it helps reduce inflammation but isn’t a steroid.

Ibuprofen is also a form of non-opioid pain relief. This means it offers pain relief without addictive properties.

For 200-milligram (mg) tablets, the recommended dosage is one or two tablets every four to six hours. You shouldn’t take more than 1,200 mg of OTC ibuprofen a day.

If your doctor prescribes ibuprofen for you, you’ll have specific instructions. The maximum dose of prescription-strength ibuprofen is 3,200 mg a day.

What Are the Side Effects of Ibuprofen?

Taking ibuprofen with food can help reduce some of its side effects. The side effects of ibuprofen that most people report include:

• Constipation.
• Feelings of dizziness.
• Upset stomach (including gas, nausea, and bloating).

It’s important to stick to the dosage on the package or the dosage your doctor tells you. Taking too much ibuprofen may cause:

• Bleeding.
• Increased stroke risk.
• Kidney problems.
• Liver problems.

If you’re taking other medicines, you should always check with your doctor before taking ibuprofen. Certain medications can interact with ibuprofen in dangerous ways, including:

• Blood thinners.
• Certain heart medicines.
• High blood pressure medicine.
• Other NSAIDs.

If you’re pregnant, over age 65, or have other health conditions, ask your doctor about ibuprofen safety.

What Happens if You Take Ibuprofen Every Day?

There are some risks of long-term NSAID use. Your daily ibuprofen habit could backfire for several reasons.

Mainly, taking ibuprofen every day is hard on your stomach. Daily ibuprofen increases your risk for a stomach ulcer and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Taking ibuprofen long term also puts your kidneys at risk. NSAIDs work by blocking certain chemicals that cause inflammation and pain. These chemicals also help regulate how oxygenated blood flows to your kidneys.

If your body doesn’t make enough of these chemicals, your kidneys don’t get the blood and oxygen they need. This damages the cells of your kidneys.

These cells can sometimes repair themselves. But if there’s too much damage, this may not happen until after it’s too late.

Alternatives to Ibuprofen for Chronic Pain

Living with chronic pain can feel exhausting and frustrating. Though occasional ibuprofen is a possible part of your treatment plan, other pain-relieving methods are available for you to try.

Always start by talking to your doctor, who may refer you to a pain management specialist. We now know more about chronic pain and ways to help people manage it.

Alternative pain management techniques include:

• Acupuncture — An acupuncturist inserts thin needles at specific points. It’s an ancient form of Eastern medicine.
• Massage therapy — Kneading and rubbing soft tissues can help relieve stress and pain.
• Meditation — A mind-body practice that helps you focus your attention on breathing.

We also know that physical therapy benefits people with chronic pain or injuries. A 2025 Orthopedic Reviews study looked at 200 people with sports injuries. One group used pain medicine only, another group did physical therapy only, and the third group did both.

Among those who only took medicine, 65% reported the pain came back after the effects wore off. But 73% of physical therapy users said that PT helped with long-term injury recovery. Among the group who did both, about 68% said PT was the most effective.

How physical therapy helps manage pain

Physical therapists are experts at measuring pain and determining what’s causing pain. They can assess:

• Pain intensity.
• Pain patterns.
• Pain’s impact on your ability to function.
• Pain’s impact on your quality of life.

Then, they can create a plan to help you manage pain, regain function, and prevent future pain. PT can include:

• Education — Learning about posture, ergonomics, and self-care, as well as the science of pain.
• Hands-on therapy — Can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Sleep troubleshooting — People with chronic pain often have trouble sleeping.
• Stress management techniques — Such as visualization and mindful meditation.
• Therapeutic exercises — Can improve strength and correct muscle imbalances.

Can following an anti-inflammatory diet help with chronic pain?

Inflammation can lead to pain. Eating certain anti-inflammatory foods may help you better control inflammation.

Your doctor or a registered dietician can work with you to create a nutrition plan that works for you. Top foods that fight inflammation naturally include:

• Beans, including kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, and chickpeas.
• Fish, especially salmon, tuna, and sardines.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially berries and green leafy veggies like spinach, broccoli, and kale.
• Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil.
• Nuts and seeds, such as pine nuts, pistachios, almonds, and walnuts.

If you’re struggling to manage joint or muscle pain, talk to your doctor about alternatives to daily ibuprofen.

At UPMC, we have specific programs to help you manage pain. Our pain management team can help you start to feel better today.