Ibuprofen is a medicine called a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is often referred to simply as 'an anti-inflammatory', or sometimes as an 'NSAID'. It works by preventing the production of some natural chemicals in your body, which cause pain and inflammation. This leaflet deals with ibuprofen when it is applied topically to the skin. Ibuprofen can also be taken by mouth in the form of tablets, capsules, and liquid medicine - there is more information about this in a separate medicine leaflet called Ibuprofen for pain and inflammation.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/medicine/ibuprofen-gel-fenbid-ibugel-ibuleve