Pain in joints, bones, and muscles can happen to anyone, so they use painkillers that are sold widely in the market. This says that these types of pains are common and ordinary, too, that can be dealt with these painkillers.
Although not every pain is ordinary, some can also be dangerous, like stomach and chest pain requiring immediate supervision. And for those, too, there are painkillers. The two most effective and popular painkillers are Motrin and ibuprofen.
Both of the drugs, ibuprofen and Motrin, are of the same brand, that is, ibuprofen only. Both drugs are equally effective. Basically, Motrin, Motrin IB, and Advil are the brand names for the drug ibuprofen. And the drug ibuprofen belongs to a whole group of medicine that is NSAIDs.
Key Takeaways
- Motrin is a brand name for ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation.
- Ibuprofen is available as a generic medication and is used to treat a variety of conditions, including headaches, menstrual cramps, and arthritis.
- Motrin and ibuprofen reduce the production of prostaglandins responsible for pain and inflammation.
Motrin vs Ibuprofen
Motrin is a painkiller used to relieve pain. Motrin is available in different forms. It can be a syrup, pill, or a capsule. It can be taken for fever and back pain. Ibuprofen is not available in different forms. It is a cheap drug. These medicines are used by most of the people because they are easily available.

Motrin is basically a drug used as a nonsteroidal painkiller and an anti-inflammatory. It works as a painkiller by reducing the number of hormones that are causing all the inflammations and pain in the body.
The drug is used to reduce fever, headache, toothache, or back pain. It can also be used to deal with pain during menstrual cramps or any minor injury.
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicine named NSAIDs. The ibuprofen medication is used for analgesia, reduction of fever, and sometimes when in higher doses, gives an anti-inflammatory effect.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has now included the drug ibuprofen in the basic medication needs too.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Motrin | Ibuprofen |
---|---|---|
Drug | Motrin is a branded drug. | Ibuprofen is a generic drug. |
Cost | Motrin is costlier than ibuprofen. | Ibuprofen is comparatively a cheaper drug than any other one as it comes under basic medication needs. |
Availability | Motrin comes in different forms and is widely available in all those like- syrup, chewable pills, capsules, and many more. | Ibuprofen is easily available through but cannot be found in different forms. |
Indications | Motrin indicates mild fever and even pain, too for sometimes after the dose of the drug. | Ibuprofen also indicates some of the same symptoms as that of Motrin. |
Group of medicine | Motrin does not belong to any specific group of medicine. | Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medications called NSAIDs. |
What is Motrin?
Motrin is basically a drug used as a painkiller that is nonsteroidal and also an anti-inflammatory. It works as a painkiller by reducing the number of hormones that are causing all the inflammations and pain in the body.
The drug is used to reduce fever, headache, toothache, or back pain. It can also be used during menstrual cramps or any minor injury so as to deal with the pain.
There are some warnings that should be considered before taking any dose of the drug, as Motrin can result in a fatal heart attack or stroke, so do not have such medicine or sometime after bypass surgery or a heart-related surgery.
The drug can also result in intestinal or stomach bleeding. These conditions can occur while using the medication without warning, especially in older adults, as their health conditions are critical.

What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicine named NSAIDs. The ibuprofen medication is used for analgesia, reduction of fever, and sometimes when in higher doses, gives an anti-inflammatory effect.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has now included the drug ibuprofen in the basic medication needs too.
A nonsteroidal drug means that it is not a steroid. As steroids have some similar effects, although long-term effects of this can cause some severe effects.
Also, most of the medicines that belong to NSAIDs are non-narcotic, so they are free to take without having a fear of having a stupor or insensibility.
Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are some of the most commonly used and known NSAIDs medicines having one of the reason is they are available too easily and does not have severe symptoms.

Main Differences Between Motrin and Ibuprofen
- The main difference between Motrin and Ibuprofen is that Motrin is a branded drug while Ibuprofen is a generic drug. Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicines.
- Motrin is costlier than ibuprofen, and ibuprofen, a basic medication, is comparatively cheaper.
- Motrin comes in different forms and is widely available in all those like- syrup, chewable pills, capsules, and many more, while Ibuprofen is easily available through but cannot be found in different forms.
- Both the drugs indicate some of the same symptoms after the dose, but Motrin indicates mild fever too.
- Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medicine, while there is no such group of belongingness for Motrin.