Two medicines, side by side
Ibuprofen vs prednisone
Ibuprofen and prednisone are both labeled for osteoarthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ibuprofen since 1974 and of prednisone since 1955. Pharmacies paid $0.0573 per ibuprofen 800 mg tablet and $0.0643 per prednisone 20 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 prednisone a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026); the prednisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 22, 2025).
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 prednisone record
Prednisone (Meticorten) · label of April 22, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsPrednisone tablets and solutions are indicated in the following conditions: 1. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 21, 1955
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0643 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026, Prednisone label of April 22, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ibuprofen and prednisone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and prednisone a corticosteroid.
Only the ibuprofen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ibuprofen since 1985; prednisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ibuprofen | Prednisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Organ transplant rejection |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 19, 1974 | February 21, 1955 |
| First generic approved | February 8, 1985 | December 23, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 245 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) | $0.0643 per tablet (Prednisone 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 40 | 10 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 270,516 | 499,950 |
| 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?
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