How does ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) work in your body?

Question

I don't need side effects. Just tell me what it does in your body once you consume it.

Answer 1

Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other members of this class include naproxen (Aleve), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen) and several others. These drugs are used for the management of mild to moderate pain, fever, and inflammation. Prostaglandins are chemicals that are made by the body and are responsible for causing pain, fever and inflammation. Ibuprofen blocks the enzyme that makes prostaglandins (cyclooxygenase), resulting in lower levels of prostaglandins.

Answer 2

Ibuprofen works by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, which prevents the production of inflammatory mediators, primarily prostaglandins and thromboxanes, which are the predominant mediators of fever, pain, and inflammation that ibuprofen is designed to combat.