Two medicines, side by side
Ibuprofen vs morphine
Ibuprofen and morphine are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ibuprofen since 1974 and of morphine since 1984. Pharmacies paid $0.0573 per ibuprofen 800 mg tablet and $0.226 per morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and morphine an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026); the morphine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 13, 2026).
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
Highlights of the morphine record
Morphine (Duramorph) · label of July 13, 2026
ADDICTION, ABUSE, AND MISUSE; RISK EVALUATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGY (REMS); LIFE-THREATENING RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION; ACCIDENTAL INGESTION; NEONATAL OPIOID WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME; and RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH BENZODIAZEPINES OR OTHER CNS DEPRESSANTS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Morphine sulfate exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsMorphine sulfate extended-release tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 18, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.226 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 66
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026, Morphine label of July 13, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ibuprofen and morphine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and morphine an opioid agonist.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: ibuprofen since 1985; morphine since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: ibuprofen none; morphine CII.
| Ibuprofen | Morphine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Morphine is a full opioid agonist is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of morphine is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Excretion The elimination of morphine occurs primarily as renal excretion of M3G and its effective half-life after intravenous administration is normally 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 19, 1974 | September 18, 1984 |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1985 | October 7, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 245 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) | $0.226 per tablet (Morphine sulfate ir 15 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 40 | 66 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 270,516 | 120,591 |
| DEA schedule | none | CII |
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?
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 ibuprofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions