Two medicines, side by side
Aspirin vs ibuprofen
Aspirin and ibuprofen are both labeled for pain, cough and cold and fever. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aspirin since 1965 and of ibuprofen since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.0142 per aspirin ec 81 mg tablet and $0.0573 per ibuprofen 800 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the ibuprofen label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025); the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026).
Highlights of the aspirin record
Aspirin (Measurin) · label of September 9, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves headache toothache pain and fever of colds muscle pain menstrual pain minor pain of arthritis
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1965
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0142 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the ibuprofen record
Ibuprofen (Advil) · label of January 1, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications■ temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: ■ headache ■ muscular aches ■ minor pain of arthritis ■ toothache ■ backache ■ the common cold ■ menstrual cramps ■ temporarily reduces fever
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 19, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 245 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0573 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 40
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Aspirin label of September 9, 2025, Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do aspirin and ibuprofen differ on the record?
Only the ibuprofen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: aspirin none approved; ibuprofen since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Aspirin | Ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Cough and cold, Fever | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 25, 1965 | September 19, 1974 |
| First generic approved | none | February 8, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 245 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0142 per tablet (Aspirin ec 81 mg tablet) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 40 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 534,208 | 270,516 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Ibuprofen label, contraindications (prescription label)Ibuprofen tablets should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticarial, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Ibuprofen label, drug interactions (prescription label)The interaction is alleviated if immediate-release low-dose aspirin is dosed at least 2 hours prior to a once daily regimen of ibuprofen; however, this finding cannot be extended to enteric-coated low-dose aspirin [see Clinical Pharmacology /Pharmacodynamics].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Ibuprofen label, drug interactions (prescription label)The clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of ibuprofen and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential for increased adverse effects.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to aspirin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions