Advil Liqui-Gels Side Effects

Generic name: ibuprofen

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2025.

Note: This document contains side effect information about ibuprofen. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Advil Liqui-Gels.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ibuprofen: compounding powder, intravenous solution, oral capsule, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported adverse effects were gastrointestinal (GI) in nature and included nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and diarrhea.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus: The most frequently reported adverse effects were sepsis, anemia, intraventricular bleeding, apnea, GI disorders, impaired renal function, respiratory infection, skin lesions, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and respiratory failure.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 57%), vomiting (up to 22%), flatulence (up to 16%), diarrhea (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, abdominal discomfort, epigastric pain, heartburn, abdominal distress, indigestion, constipation, abdominal cramps/pain, fullness of GI tract, bloating, GI hemorrhage, melena
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal distention, dyspepsia, gastritis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Peptic ulcer, perforation, hematemesis, mouth ulceration, exacerbation of colitis, exacerbation of Crohn's disease
• Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, duodenitis, esophagitis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, GI bleeding, glossitis, rectal bleeding, stomatitis, eructation, gingival ulcer, pancreatitis

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): GI disorders non-necrotizing enterocolitis (22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Necrotizing enterocolitis, intestinal perforation
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal distension, gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis, ileus, inguinal hernia
• Postmarketing reports: GI perforation^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hemorrhage (up to 10%), hypertension (10%), hypotension (10%)
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac failure
• Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, tachycardia, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, palpitations, vasculitis, sinus bradycardia, angina pectoris, thrombotic events

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, cardiac failure, hypotension^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, nervousness
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cerebrovascular accident
• Frequency not reported: Syncope, drowsiness, paresthesia, somnolence, tremors, convulsions, coma

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Common (1% to 10%): Intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular hemorrhage
• Frequency not reported: Convulsions^[Ref]

Renal

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute renal failure, renal papillary necrosis, interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, renal insufficiency
• Frequency not reported: Cystitis, azotemia, creatinine clearance decreased, glomerulitis, tubular necrosis, nephrotoxicity

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Renal events (21%)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute renal failure^[Ref]

The number of total renal events in preterm infants within 30 days of therapy following IV use was 21% and included increased blood urea (7%), renal insufficiency/impairment (6%), reduced urine output (3%), increased blood creatinine (3%), renal failure (1%), and increased blood urea with hematuria (1%).^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (up to 36%), eosinophilia (up to 26%), neutropenia (up to 13%), thrombocythemia (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hemoglobin decreased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, hematocrit decreased
• Frequency not reported: lymphadenopathy, bleeding episodes

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (32%), total bleeding (32%), intraventricular hemorrhage (29%), Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

The incidence of total bleeding events within 30 days of therapy with IV use in preterm infants was 32%. This percentage included grade 1 and 2 intraventricular hemorrhage (15%), grade 3 and 4 intraventricular hemorrhage (15%), and other bleeding (6%).^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, maculopapular rash, pruritus
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Frequency not reported: Ecchymosis, purpura, alopecia, sweating, photosensitivity, angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria, vesiculobullous eruptions, Henoch Schonlein vasculitis

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Skin lesion/irritation (16%)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hypokalemia (up to 19%), hypoproteinemia (up to 13%), blood urea increased (10%), hypernatremia (10%), hypoalbuminemia (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Appetite decreased, fluid retention
• Frequency not reported: Appetite changes, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemic reaction, acidosis

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Hypoglycemia (12%), hypocalcemia (12%), blood creatinine increased, blood sodium decreased
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypernatremia
• Frequency not reported: Feeding problems, hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Bacteremia (13%), blood LDH increased (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, wound hemorrhage, tinnitus, hearing impairment, edema, fatigue
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Aseptic meningitis, vertigo, exacerbation of infection-related inflammations
• Frequency not reported: Fever, infection, sepsis, weight changes, asthenia, malaise, pseudo-tumor, hearing loss, drowsiness

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Sepsis (43%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Edema, fluid retention
• Frequency not reported: Various infections^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Bacterial pneumonia (up to 10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cough
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Asthma, bronchospasm, dyspnea, wheezing
• Frequency not reported: Apnea, respiratory depression, pneumonia, rhinitis, epistaxis

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Apnea (28%), respiratory infection (19%), respiratory failure (10%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Common (1% to 10%): Atelectasis, pulmonary hemorrhage
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoxemia
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary hypertension^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis, jaundice
• Frequency not reported: Hepatorenal syndrome, liver necrosis, liver failure, abnormal liver function tests

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Frequency not reported: Cholestasis, jaundice^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reactions, hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported and may consist of any of the following: a syndrome of abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and anaphylaxis; respiratory tract reactivity comprising bronchospasm, asthma/aggravated asthma, or dyspnea; skin reactions, which rarely included exfoliative and bullous dermatoses, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, angioedema, pruritus, and urticaria.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Visual disturbances
• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, amblyopia, diminished vision, scotomata, changes in color vision, conjunctivitis, dry eyes, diplopia, optic neuritis, cataracts, optic neuritis, toxic optic neuropathy^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Lupus erythematosus syndrome^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Anxiety, confusion, depression, dream abnormalities, insomnia, emotional lability, hallucinations^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Proteinuria, hematuria
• Frequency not reported: Dysuria, oliguria, polyuria, menorrhagia

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Very common (10% or more): Oliguria, hematuria
• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Frequency not reported: Serum sickness^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Infusion site pain
• Postmarketing reports: Transient sensation of burning in mouth/throat

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Frequency not reported: Injection site reactions^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Gynecomastia

Patent Ductus Arteriosus:

• Common (1% to 10%): Adrenal insufficiency^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Advil Liqui-Gels side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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