The Right Way to Pair Coffee and Ibuprofen
Of course, coffee isn’t the only source of caffeine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates the following caffeine content in a 12 fluid ounce serving of these beverages:
These are only estimated averages, though, and the exact amount can vary between products.
You can use any source of caffeine, if you know the amount of caffeine in the drink, says Medhat Mikhael, MD, who is double board certified in pain medicine and anesthesiology and is the medical director of the spine health center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. Moderation is key, however, and the right dose varies from person to person.
“Based on clinical experience, using a combined moderate dose of caffeine (like 100 mg) with a moderate dose of ibuprofen (like 200 mg) has been found to be effective and safe enough to [intensify] the effect, without causing major side effects,” Dr. Mikhael says.
Don’t take ibuprofen on an empty stomach, particularly with just coffee, Mikhael cautions. This may increase the risk of major stomach inflammation (gastritis), heartburn, ulcers, and sometimes stomach bleeding in high doses and high-risk patients, Mikhael adds.
The ibuprofen and caffeine combination hasn’t been studied extensively, so evidence remains limited, Hill says. There are currently no FDA-approved combination products with both ingredients.
And remember, it’s always a good idea to get advice from your doctor about medication use, Hill says. “Any combined use should be approached with caution.”
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