Two medicines, side by side
Diflunisal vs ibuprofen
Diflunisal and ibuprofen are both labeled for osteoarthritis, pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diflunisal since 1982 and of ibuprofen since 1974. Pharmacies paid $1.06 per diflunisal 500 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.
Check it at the source: the diflunisal FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 4, 2026); the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026).
Highlights of the diflunisal record
Diflunisal (Dolobid) · label of August 4, 2026
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Diflunisal tablets are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (see CONTRAINDICATION and WARNINGS ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of diflunisal tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use diflunisal tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 19, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $1.06 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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 (Diflunisal label of August 4, 2026, Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diflunisal and ibuprofen differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: diflunisal since 1992; ibuprofen since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diflunisal | Ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | In contrast to salicylic acid which has a plasma half-life of 2 1/2 hours, the plasma half-life of diflunisal is 3 to 4 times longer (8 to 12 hours), because of a difluorophenyl substituent at carbon 1. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 19, 1982 | September 19, 1974 |
| First generic approved | July 31, 1992 | February 8, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 245 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $1.06 per tablet (Diflunisal 500 mg tablet) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 40 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 806 | 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)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Diflunisal label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of diflunisal tablets and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
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 diflunisal
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions