What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ibuprofen and lithium
Ibuprofen's FDA label of January 1, 2026 names lithium in its drug interactions (prescription label) section; lithium's label does not name ibuprofen itself but warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)). The ibuprofen label: “NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. …”
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026, Savings Distributors LLC); the lithium FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 23, 2025, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA).
What does the ibuprofen label say about lithium?
Ibuprofen label, drug interactions (prescription label)Lithium Ibuprofen produced an elevation of plasma lithium levels and a reduction in renal lithium clearance in a study of eleven normal volunteers.
Caldolor label (Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., January 29, 2026), drug interactionsClinical Impact: NSAIDs have produced elevations in plasma lithium levels and reductions in renal lithium clearance. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15%, and the renal clearance decreased by approximately 20%. This effect has been attributed to NSAID inhibition of renal prostaglandin synthesis. Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and lithium, monitor patients for signs of lithium toxicity.
Source: FDA drug label (Caldolor, NDA022348), Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective January 29, 2026 (SPL set 1eaa7790-f1a1-4f51-b10a-cbbaf033f684), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Motrin IB), NDA019012 (Kenvue Brands), as published by Savings Distributors LLC, effective January 1, 2026 (SPL set 56846774-8413-c306-e063-6394a90a2be8), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the lithium label say about ibuprofen?
Lithium's label does not name ibuprofen itself; it warns about its class (NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)):
Lithium label, drug interactionsDiuretics, NSAID, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, or metronidazole may increase lithium serum concentrations.
Lithium label, drug interactionsReduce lithium dosage based on serum lithium concentration and clinical response [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ), Warning and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)
Source: FDA drug label (Lithium Carbonate), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA, effective December 23, 2025 (SPL set 63b3790f-a9b5-47f4-bae1-ddf8b43c13c1), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Ibuprofen | Lithium | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold | Bipolar disorder |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0573 per tablet 800 mg tablet | $0.104 per capsule 300 mg capsule |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once