What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ibuprofen and menthol/methyl salicylate
Menthol/methyl salicylate's FDA label of March 14, 2025 names ibuprofen in its warnings section; the ibuprofen labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name menthol/methyl salicylate. The menthol/methyl salicylate label: “… (anticoagulant) or steroid drug take other drugs containing an NSAID [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take more or for a longer time than …”
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026, Savings Distributors LLC); the menthol/methyl salicylate FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 14, 2025, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc.).
What does the ibuprofen label say about menthol/methyl salicylate?
Ibuprofen's label (effective January 1, 2026) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name menthol/methyl salicylate in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
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 menthol/methyl salicylate label say about ibuprofen?
Menthol/methyl salicylate label, warningsThe chance is small but higher if you: are age 60 or older have had stomach ulcers or bleeding problems take a blood thinning (anticoagulant) or steroid drug take other drugs containing an NSAID [aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or others] have 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product take more or for a longer time than directed Do not use on the face or rashes on wouds or damaged skin if allergic to aspirin or other NSAIDs with a heating pad when sweating (such as from exercise or heat) any patch from a pouch that has been open for 14 or more days right before or after heart surgery Ask a doctor before use if you are allergic to topical products the stomach bleeding …
Source: FDA drug label (Salonpas Pain Relief), Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co., Inc., effective March 14, 2025 (SPL set acd7ba91-221a-485a-ad1f-dd41ed155656), 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 | Menthol/methyl salicylate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold | Pain |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0573 per tablet 800 mg tablet | $0.0365 per gram 15%-10% cream |
| 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