Two medicines, side by side
Ibuprofen vs oxycodone
Ibuprofen and oxycodone are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ibuprofen since 1974 and of oxycodone since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0573 per ibuprofen 800 mg tablet and $0.0884 per oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 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 oxycodone an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026); the oxycodone FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 6, 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 oxycodone record
Oxycodone (Oxycontin) · label of May 6, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets expose users to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient's risk before prescribing and reassess regularly for these behaviors and conditions.
Used for
From the label: indicationsOxycodone Hydrochloride Tablets, USP are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets are an opioid agonist indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 26, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0884 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026, Oxycodone label of May 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ibuprofen and oxycodone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and oxycodone an opioid agonist.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: ibuprofen since 1985; oxycodone since 2004 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: ibuprofen none; oxycodone CII.
| Ibuprofen | Oxycodone | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of oxycodone is analgesia. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Apparent elimination half-life of oxycodone following the administration of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets was 3.5 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 19, 1974 | October 26, 1998 |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1985 | February 6, 2004 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 245 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) | $0.0884 per tablet (Oxycodone HCl (ir) 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 40 | 11 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 270,516 | 311,625 |
| 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.
Oxycodone label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of oxycodone hydrochloride tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to ibuprofen
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions