Ibuprofen should be consumed, FDA says, not rubbed

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For pain relief, ibuprofen can be quite effective -- when taken orally. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration approved its use in Advil and other products and why it’s a medicine cabinet (and purse) staple for many Americans. The agency, however, has not approved topical versions of the drug. So stop marketing them, the agency has told eight companies producing such versions.

The products are called Emuprofen, BioEntopic 15% Ibuprofen Crème, Ibunex Topical Ibuprofen, LoPain AF 15% Ibuprofen Crème, IB-RELIEF, Profen HP, IbuPRO-10 Plus, and IBU-RELIEF 12.

Here’s the FDA’s announcement of its action, a link to the warning letters and information from drugs.com about how ibuprofen works and how it should be taken.

-- Tami Dennis