What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Ibuprofen and pemetrexed
Ibuprofen's FDA label (Caldolor) of January 29, 2026 names pemetrexed in its drug interactions section, and pemetrexed's label names ibuprofen too. The ibuprofen label: “Concomitant use of CALDOLOR and pemetrexed, may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity.”
Check it at the source: the ibuprofen FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 1, 2026, Savings Distributors LLC); the pemetrexed FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 8, 2025, Avyxa Pharma, LLC).
What does the ibuprofen label say about pemetrexed?
Caldolor label (Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., January 29, 2026), drug interactionsPemetrexed Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of CALDOLOR and pemetrexed, may increase the risk of pemetrexed-associated myelosuppression, renal, and GI toxicity (…). Intervention: During concomitant use of CALDOLOR and pemetrexed, in patients with renal impairment whose creatinine clearance ranges from 45 to 79 mL/min, monitor for myelosuppression, renal and GI 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 pemetrexed label say about ibuprofen?
Pemetrexed label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Effects of Ibuprofen on Pemetrexed Ibuprofen increases exposure (AUC) of pemetrexed [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Pemetrexed label, warnings and precautionsRisk of Toxicity with Ibuprofen in Patients with Renal Impairment Exposure to pemetrexed is increased in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment who take concomitant ibuprofen, increasing the risks of adverse reactions of AXTLE.
Alimta label (Eli Lilly and Company, May 19, 2023), drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS Ibuprofen increased risk of ALIMTA toxicity in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.
Pemetrexed label (Sandoz Inc., December 16, 2025), drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS OAT3 Inhibitors: Modify the ibuprofen dosage as recommended.
Source: FDA drug label (Alimta, NDA021462), Eli Lilly and Company, effective May 19, 2023 (SPL set f5a860f3-37ec-429c-ae04-9c88d7c55c08), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (AXTLE), Avyxa Pharma, LLC, effective October 8, 2025 (SPL set 9582c46c-d8b0-44b7-a2ee-9c86f5e9b7b1), 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 | Pemetrexed | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Fever, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Pain, Cough and cold | Lung cancer |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0573 per tablet 800 mg tablet | n/a |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
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