Two medicines, side by side
Methylprednisolone vs ibuprofen
Methylprednisolone and ibuprofen are both labeled for osteoarthritis. Drugs@FDA records approvals of methylprednisolone since 1957 and of ibuprofen since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.121 per methylprednisolone 4 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. Methylprednisolone's other strengths are brand-only: $6.28 per Solu-medrol 40 mg vial. In FDA's classes, methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid and ibuprofen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Check it at the source: the methylprednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026); the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026).
Highlights of the methylprednisolone record
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) · label of June 22, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethylprednisolone tablets are indicated in the following conditions: 1. Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 24, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.121 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 46
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 (Methylprednisolone label of June 22, 2026, Ibuprofen label of January 1, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do methylprednisolone and ibuprofen differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid and ibuprofen a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Only the ibuprofen label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: methylprednisolone since 1978; ibuprofen since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Methylprednisolone | Ibuprofen | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 24, 1957 | September 19, 1974 |
| First generic approved | March 28, 1978 | February 8, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 245 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.121 per tablet (Methylprednisolone 4 mg tablet) | $0.0573 per tablet (Ibuprofen 800 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -22% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 46 | 40 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 170,232 | 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?
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 methylprednisolone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions