Can you take Ibuprofen after the COVID booster vaccine?
Ibuprofen can be taken after the COVID booster vaccine if you want to relieve any vaccine-related side effects such as a sore arm, headache, or fever. The usual dosage of ibuprofen for adults after the booster is 200 to 400mg up to 3 or 4 times a day. In addition, you should also take it easy for the rest of the day after your vaccination, apply ice or a cool washcloth to the injection site, and keep up your fluids. There is currently no strong evidence to suggest that taking ibuprofen after your COVID booster shot reduces your immune response to the vaccine.
Taking ibuprofen just before your booster vaccination, to prevent possible side effects, is not recommended because some older studies have suggested that this may affect how your immune system responds to the vaccination. If you regularly take ibuprofen for other reasons, then you can take it as usual.
You are considered fully protected from COVID-19 two weeks after your booster shot.
References
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Dampen the Cytokine and Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Infection
- Jennifer S. Chen, , Mia Madel Alfajaro, , Ryan D. Chow , Jin Wei, , Renata B. Filler, , Stephanie C. Eisenbarth, , Craig B. Wilen,craig.wilen@yale.edu
- Ibuprofen. Revised 08/2022. Chartwell RX, LLC. https://www.drugs.com/pro/ibuprofen.html
Read next
Naproxen vs ibuprofen: What's the difference?
Ibuprofen is short acting, while naproxen is long acting and more likely to cause an upset stomach. Naproxen and ibuprofen are both NSAIDs so they are similar in many ways, but there are important differences. Continue reading
Can you take ibuprofen on an empty stomach?
Despite popular belief that you have to take ibuprofen with food, you can take ibuprofen on an empty stomach and this will give you faster pain relief than taking it with food. Food increases the time it takes for ibuprofen to be absorbed, although it won't affect how much is absorbed. There is actually no evidence that taking ibuprofen with food prevents gastric irritation – ibuprofen at OTC doses has a low incidence of gastric irritation anyway. Continue reading
What's the difference between aspirin and ibuprofen?
Even though aspirin and Ibuprofen are both NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and work similarly, there are several differences between the two drugs and they are not considered interchangeable. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Can you take Ibuprofen if you have COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- Meloxicam vs Ibuprofen: What's the difference?
- Can you take expired ibuprofen?
- Can you overdose on ibuprofen?
- Aleve vs Ibuprofen: What's the difference?
- Can you take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin?
- How do Celebrex and ibuprofen compare?
- What's the best sore throat medicine to use?
- Can you drink alcohol with ibuprofen?
- Acetaminophen vs Ibuprofen: Which is better?
- Advil (ibuprofen) & Tylenol (acetaminophen) together, is it safe?
- Is ibuprofen (Advil) a blood thinner?
- How much ibuprofen can I take and how often?
- What temperature is considered a fever?
- Can I take ibuprofen with blood pressure medications?
- Can you take 800mg ibuprofen with 50mg tramadol?
- Can ibuprofen cause constipation?
- How long does ibuprofen take to work?
- All Eyes on Ibuprofen: What are 10 Things You Need to Know?
- Is it safe to take ibuprofen right after taking prednisone?
- Which painkiller should you use?
- Why is Ibuprofen dangerous for dogs? Here are safer alternatives
- I just took ibuprofen and prednisone, is that ok?
- What are the inactive ingredients in ibuprofen?
- Does Feverfew interact with any drugs?
- What is the best way to reduce swelling in your face?
- Cold, flu, hay fever, or COVID - Which one do I have?
- Can you take Ibuprofen with antibiotics?
- Is Ibuprofen bad for your kidneys and liver?
- Can you take ibuprofen with Mavyret?
Related support groups
- Ibuprofen (262 questions, 236 members)
- Sars-cov-2 (covid-19) Mrna (tozinameran 12y+) Bivalent Booster Vaccine (6 questions, 3 members)
- Sars-cov-2 (covid-19) Mrna Bnt-162b2 Vaccine (4 questions, 3 members)
- Sars-cov-2 (covid-19) Mrna-1273 (bivalent Booster) Vaccine (4 questions, 3 members)
- Sars-cov-2 Mrna-1273 (booster Only) Vaccine (4 questions, 3 members)
- Sars-cov-2 (covid-19) Mrna (tozinameran 5y-11y) Bivalent Booster Vaccine (2 questions, 3 members)
- COVID-19 (106 questions, 88 members)
- Vaccination and Prophlaxis (13 questions, 4 members)