Headache, dental pain, period pain, back pain, sprains and strains, arthritis pain, and fever and aches from colds and flu. The gel is rubbed in for localised muscle and joint pain.

Damaged tissue releases prostaglandins, which cause swelling and make pain nerves more sensitive, and which also raise the body's temperature setting. Ibuprofen blocks the COX enzymes that make them, so swelling falls, pain eases and fever comes down.

Indigestion, stomach pain, nausea and, less often, headache or dizziness. Taking it with food reduces stomach upset.

Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach and, taken regularly or at high doses, raises the risk of ulcers, bleeding, and of heart attack and stroke. Avoid it if you have a stomach ulcer, severe heart failure or severe kidney disease, and tell your doctor about asthma, since NSAIDs can trigger an attack in some people. Do not take it with another NSAID, and avoid it after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless a doctor advises. Sold without a prescription in Pakistan in standard strengths.