diclofenac vs ibuprofen
Side-by-side comparison of diclofenac and ibuprofen Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
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Diclofenac is a gel that helps with arthritis pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
Ibuprofen is a drug that can reduce pain and fever. It belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs.
This medicine temporarily relieves arthritis pain. It is only for pain in your hands, wrists, elbows, feet, ankles, or knees. It may take up to 7 days to start working. If you still have pain after 7 days, stop using it.
Ibuprofen can help with minor aches and pains. You can use it for headaches, toothaches, backaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. It can also help with the common cold, minor arthritis pain, and fever.
Diclofenac is an NSAID. It reduces pain and swelling by blocking substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Ibuprofen works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body. It blocks the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins contribute to inflammation and pain signals.
- • Pain
- • Headache
- • Nausea
- • Headache
- • Diarrhea
- • Vomiting
- • Dizziness
- Medicine not working 13,689
- Pain 12,281
- Tiredness 11,317
- Rheumatoid arthritis 9,240
- Rash 8,747
- Drug not working 24,339
- Pain 18,851
- Tiredness 17,869
- Feeling sick to your stomach 17,349
- Headache 15,814
There are no boxed warnings in the provided data.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen may increase the risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, myocardial infarction, and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may increase with duration of use. NSAIDs also increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse events including bleeding, ulceration, and perforation of the stomach or intestines, which can be fatal.
There is no information about pregnancy or breastfeeding in the provided data.
Ask a doctor before using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. NSAIDs like ibuprofen may cause harm to the fetus.
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How to Read This diclofenac vs ibuprofen Comparison
diclofenac is classified in the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) drug class, while ibuprofen sits within the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are available over the counter.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, diclofenac has 55,274 submissions while ibuprofen has 94,222. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between diclofenac and ibuprofen — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.